past perfect

adjective

: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is traditionally formed in English with had and denotes an action or state as completed at or before a past time spoken of
past perfect noun

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of past perfect was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near past perfect

past participle

past perfect

pastrami

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Past perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/past%20perfect. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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