rustle
verb (used without object)
to make a succession of slight, soft sounds, as of parts rubbing gently one on another, as leaves, silks, or papers.
had been rustling
-
past perfect progressiveof rustle.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the leaves and the brook had been rustling and rippling a different gospel, and her mental tone was in tune with them.
From Loyal to the School by Angela Brazil
“Greetings, my friends!” called a cheery red-brown coated bird who had been rustling about among the dead leaves just behind them.
From The Adventures of Fleetfoot and Her Fawns by Allen Chaffee
Her feet had been rustling among the brown leaves and each time she had laughed.
From The Choir Invisible by James Lane Allen
And then there was the snake, or snakes, that had been rustling about so heavily.
From Hunting the Skipper The Cruise of the "Seafowl" Sloop by Harold Piffard
