had been signifying

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of signify.
  signify

  verb (used with object)

  to make known by signs, speech, or action.

Related Words

• add up to
• bespeak
• convey
• imply
• manifest
• portend
• proclaim
• represent
• spell
• stand for
• suggest
• symbolize