Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Dwell?

\Dwell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwelled}, usually contracted into {Dwelt} (?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Dwelling}.] [OE. dwellen, dwelien, to err, linger, AS. dwellan to deceive, hinder, delay, dwelian to err; akin to Icel. dvelja to delay, tarry, Sw. dv["a]ljas to dwell, Dan. dv[ae]le to linger, and to E. dull. See {Dull}, and cf. {Dwale}.] 1. To delay; to linger. [Obs.] 2. To abide; to remain; to continue. I 'll rather dwell in my necessity. --Shak. Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart. --Wordsworth. 3. To abide as a permanent resident, or for a time; to live in a place; to reside. The parish in which I was born, dwell, and have possessions. --Peacham. The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the hall where the lord of the domain resides. --C. J. Smith. {To dwell in}, to abide in (a place); hence, to depend on. ``My hopes in heaven to dwell.'' --Shak. {To dwell on} or {upon}, to continue long on or in; to remain absorbed with; to stick to; to make much of; as, to dwell upon a subject; a singer dwells on a note. They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and language, fixed in amazement. --Buckminster. Syn: To inhabit; live; abide; sojourn; reside; continue; stay; rest.
\Dwell\, v. t. To inhabit. [R.] --Milton.