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had been spading

  • past perfect progressive
    of spade.
    spade
    noun
    a tool for digging, having an iron blade adapted for pressing into the ground with the foot and a long handle commonly with a grip or crosspiece at the top, and with the blade usually narrower and flatter than that of a shovel.

Example Sentences

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He was looking at a shovel lying in the back part of the yard, where William had been spading for a late flower bed.

From Six Little Bunkers at Aunt Jo's by Laura Lee Hope