Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I made a grab at her cap, and I thought she'd have brained me."
From Handy Andy, Volume 2 — a Tale of Irish Life by Samuel Lover
If but a tile fallen from an high roof have brained a passenger, or the breaking of a coach-wheel have endangered the burden, he swears he will keep home, or take him to his horse.
From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various
My food was brought to me by the Turkish porter, a brawny fellow, who could have brained me with his fist.
From Paul Patoff by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
His left arm hung withered by his side; at his girdle he swung a bunch of keys, with any one of which a strong man might have brained an ox.
From The Black Wolf's Breed A Story of France in the Old World and the New, happening in the Reign of Louis XIV by C. M. (Charles Mark) Relyea
Once the lioness succeeded in dealing him a blow with her paw that, but for the protection afforded by his double pith helmet would have brained the man.
From Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force by Ernest Prater
