dwell

American  

[dwel] / dwɛl /

verb (used without object)

dwelt, dwelled, dwelling

1. to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.

2. to live or continue in a given condition or state.

   to dwell in happiness.

3. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on orupon ).

   to dwell on a particular point in an argument.

4. (of a moving tool or machine part) to be motionless for a certain interval during operation.

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noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a flat or cylindrical area on a cam for maintaining a follower in a certain position during part of a cycle.

   2. a period in a cycle in the operation of a machine or engine during which a given part remains motionless.

dwell British  

/ dwɛl /

verb

1. formal  to live as a permanent resident

2. to live (in a specified state)

   to dwell in poverty

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noun

1. a regular pause in the operation of a machine

2. a flat or constant-radius portion on a linear or rotary cam enabling the cam follower to remain static for a brief time

Other Word Forms

• dweller noun
• outdwell verb (used with object)
• predwell verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of dwell

First recorded before 900; Middle English dwellen “to lead astray; stun; abide,” Old English dwellan “to lead or go astray; hinder”; cognate with Old Norse dvelja

Example Sentences

"I want to achieve a lot more in the game and I can't dwell on people's thoughts. That's going to hinder me, not help me."

From BBC

That song opened Friday night's encore, which dwelt largely on their 90s material, including Let Down - a deep cut that's had a new lease of life on TikTok - and the epic Paranoid Android.

From BBC

Mr. Richardson tries not to dwell on the subject, but it’s clear that Matthiessen possessed a Paul Newman-esque beauty, which he found both burdensome and advantageous.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a recent interview with NPR, she reveals that she’s reached a place of “acceptance” and “strange apathy,” adding that she isn’t seeking reconciliation and doesn’t dwell on repairing the relationship.

From Salon

"A game like this, you can't dwell into it too much," said vice-captain Pant, who took charge of the team after Gill was forced out.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bide
• exist
• hole up
• inhabit
• reside
• squat