gutter
noun
a channel at the side or in the middle of a road or street, for leading off surface water.
were guttering
-
past progressiveof gutter.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Soon lights began to twinkle close to the ground: they were guttering flames in gasoline tins, marking alleys through the German fields for the main body of troops and tanks.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fanning-Smith, irritated by the insistent jingling so close to his ear, lifted himself and answered—the tears were guttering his swollen face; his lips and eyelids were twitching.
From The Cost by David Graham Phillips
The candles were guttering, the light of the lamps was beginning to fade; the aspect of the court grim and terrible.
From A Book of Remarkable Criminals by Henry Brodribb Irving
When he looked up the singing had ceased and the candles upon the tree were guttering to a pallid end.
From Broken to the Plow by Charles Caldwell Dobie
Candles were guttering to their end, the long chamber, the inn itself seemed strangely silent and the broad casement already glimmered with the dawn.
From Our Admirable Betty A Romance by Jeffery Farnol
