scatter
verb (used with object)
to throw loosely about; distribute at irregular intervals.
had been scattering
-
past perfect progressiveof scatter.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.
The birds that had been silent all winter were chirping under the eaves, or fluttered up from the causeway where she had been scattering corn, at the sound of her footsteps across the little farm-yard.
From Cobwebs and Cables by Hesba Stretton
Probably they were seeking to elude the persecution of the stage-coaches, which, for the last thirty hours, had been scattering at all the inns and road-side cabarets hand-bills describing their persons and dress.
From Note Book of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey
The crowd, which had been scattering, gathered round the pair with the celerity of a mob of London street-cads round a fallen cab-horse.
From 'Tween Snow and Fire A Tale of the Last Kafir War by Bertram Mitford
In his lifetime he had been scattering seeds of good around from hour to hour, almost unconsciously; and now he saw every seed springing up into a widening forest of immortal beauty and glory.
From The May Flower, and Miscellaneous Writings by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Despotism engenders ignorance and cruelty; and despotism did but reap the awful harvest of blood and woe, of which, during countless ages of oppression, it had been scattering broadcast the seed.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol 1-98, 1850-1899 None by Various (magazine) Harper
