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
I brought the boat's head up until the wind against which we had been tacking was directly astern of us, and the tiller kicked in my hand as we drove through the water.
From Lawrence Clavering by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
Then, not knowing where to hide him, he had come along the coasts in a sloop, and for three days Iddibal had been tacking about in the gulf and watching the ramparts.
From Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert
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
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
