stray
verb (used without object)
to deviate from the direct course, leave the proper place, or go beyond the proper limits, especially without a fixed course or purpose.
had been straying
-
past perfect progressiveof stray.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.
Three others who had been straying about among the trees came back on hearing the shots, and were also taken, and thus the whole crew of the boat was captured.
From Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12) Classic Tales and Old-Fashioned Stories by Hamilton Wright Mabie
Mr. Bultiwell’s pencil, which had been straying idly over the blotting pad by his side, stopped.
From Jacob's Ladder by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
His thoughts had been straying idly as he sat at the window, with his eyes fixed on the sky.
From A Charming Fellow, Volume I (of 3) by Frances Eleanor Trollope
“Is that clock right?” asked Eleanor, whose eyes had been straying restlessly towards the mantel-piece for some little time; “lunch is usually so punctual in your establishment.”
From Beasts and Super-Beasts by Saki
A clear path out of the dreary wilderness in which he had been, straying seemed to open before him, and he resolved to walk therein.
From Danger Or, Wounded in the House of a Friend by T. S. (Timothy Shay) Arthur
