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. dvaljas to dwell, Dan. dvaele 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 onupon, 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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Dwell (?), v. t.

To inhabit.

[R.]

Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.