smooth
adjective
free from projections or unevenness of surface; not rough.
had been smoothing
-
past perfect progressiveof smooth.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.
Lancelot had been smoothing the panache of feathers which was used as a distinguishing mark on the helm in Uncle Dap’s hands.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Thomas had been smoothing the tiny rough spots from the worn, ancient carvings and reshaping the infinitesimally small edges and curves.
From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry
Laddie, who had been smoothing the sand in one corner of the pirate bungalow, now stopped and seemed to be thinking hard.
From Six Little Bunkers at Cousin Tom's by Laura Lee Hope
Tessa was sitting on the carpet in Miss Jewett’s little parlor with her head in Miss Jewett’s lap; Miss Jewett had been smoothing the girl’s hair for several minutes, neither speaking.
From Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline A Story of the Development of a Young Girl's Life by Jennie M. Drinkwater
He had been smoothing his coat sleeve after a peculiar habit he had, as though he imagined he had discovered some dust there.
From The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge Marooned Among the Moonshiners by Herbert Carter
