spring
verb (used without object)
to rise, leap, move, or act suddenly and swiftly, as by a sudden dart or thrust forward or outward, or being suddenly released from a coiled or constrained position.
had been springing
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past perfect progressiveof spring.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.
Ever since the depression, noisy prophets had been springing up along the Pacific Coast to lead the aged in holy wars on the nearest state treasury.
From Time Magazine Archive
For weeks they had been springing from the hot, dry soil of seven midwest states, big, hardy insects able to eat five times their own weight each day.
From Time Magazine Archive
But amongst all this wheat there had been springing up tares.
From The Settler and the Savage by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
Suddenly he realised that ever since he had left Senga, a vague envy of Harry Luttrell had been springing up in his heart.
From The Summons by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
He had been springing about at a great rate that morning, shifting the spinnaker.
From Shadows of Flames A Novel by Amélie Rives
