summon
verb (used with object)
to call upon to do something specified.
had been summoning
-
past perfect progressiveof summon.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.
“What am I to do about a bonnet?” said Harriet, as they sat at work, and after a pause, as if she had been summoning courage to commence a rather disagreeable subject. p.
From The Young Lord and Other Tales to which is added Victorine Durocher by Harrison Weir
After a few minutes during which both were silent, She appeared as if on the point of speaking; But the Abbot, who during this time had been summoning up all his resolution, hastily interrupted her.
From The Monk; a romance by M. G. (Matthew Gregory) Lewis
Seth felt this dimly; he said to himself, "She's too good and holy for any man, let alone me," and the words he had been summoning rushed back again before they had reached his lips.
From Adam Bede by George Eliot
Thus, hand in hand, they were found together when the old man entered the room, where they sat; and solemnly, as if he had been summoning them to a funeral, bade them follow him.
From Silent Struggles by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens
