Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first time that he came he had varnished boots.
From Library of the World's Best Mystery and Detective Stories by Hawthorne, Julian
He had coat and waistcoat on now, and instead of the slippers which he had worn before, had varnished boots on his small feet, at which he glanced with much satisfaction as he walked downstairs.
From The Breaking of the Storm, Vol. I. by Spielhagen, Friedrich
Leberfink had varnished them, and so beautified Nature.
From Weird Tales, Vol. II. by Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)
The continued experience had varnished her self-esteem with a glaze of cynicism sufficiently consistent to protect it against any but the strongest attack.
From The Blazed Trail by White, Stewart Edward
He was very skilful, and he had varnished his canes sometimes, and he felt sure he could.
From The Pedler of Dust Sticks by Follen, Eliza Lee Cabot
