tack
noun
a short, sharp-pointed nail, usually with a flat, broad head.
had been tacking
-
past perfect progressiveof tack.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.
They had been tacking a 1.25-percentage-point premium onto whatever rate they had to pay to borrow funds to relend in Eastern Europe.
From Time Magazine Archive
And our hero found that he had been rescued by little Mr. Bouncer, who had been tacking up the river in company with Huz and Buz and his meerschaum.
From Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green by Cuthbert Bede
It belonged to an English whaler, which had been tacking about for some days, and was prevented by the contrary wind from getting into the bay.
From A New Voyage Round the World, in the years 1823, 24, 25, and 26, Vol. 2 by Otto von Kotzebue
If we had been tacking or beating or something like that you’d never had hung so quietly as you did.”
From The Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure Cave by Ross Kay
We had been tacking about all the afternoon, first south, then north, not with any particular purpose, but aimlessly.
From Dead Men's Money by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
