was priming
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past progressiveof prime.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
primeadjectiveof the first importance; demanding the fullest consideration.
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.
He was priming to let fly another blast at Senator Tydings when he received a call from the White House.
From Time Magazine Archive
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The dwarf frolicked over to the nearest ballista, which his red-furred friend was priming to launch.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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Possibly he prayed; but he was priming his old gun the next instant.
From Alice of Old Vincennes by Maurice Thompson
Harry climbed up to a favorable position and was about to pour the gasoline into the fuel tank while Ned, in his haste to be off, was priming the motors.
From Boy Scouts Mysterious Signal or Perils of the Black Bear Patrol by G. Harvey (George Harvey) Ralphson
“The boiler was priming and I was afraid of the cylinders.”
From Brandon of the Engineers by Harold Bindloss