definitions

dwell

[ dwel ]
/ dwɛl /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dwell ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), dwelt or dwelled, dwell·ing.

to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.
to live or continue in a given condition or state: to dwell in happiness.
to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on or upon): to dwell on a particular point in an argument.
(of a moving tool or machine part) to be motionless for a certain interval during operation.

noun

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.

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RELATED WORDS

emphasize, consider, continue, elaborate, expatiate

Nearby words

dwarves, dwayne, dwb, dweeb, dweeby, dwell, dwell on, dwell time, dweller, dwelling, dwelling house

Origin of dwell

before 900; Middle English dwellen to lead astray, stun, abide, Old English dwellan to lead or go astray, hinder; cognate with Old Norse dvelja
Related formsdwell·er, nounout·dwell, verb (used with object), out·dwelt or out·dwelled, out·dwell·ing.pre·dwell, verb (used without object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for dwell on (1 of 2)

dwell on

dwell upon

verb

(intr, preposition) to think, speak, or write at lengthit's no good dwelling on your misfortunes

British Dictionary definitions for dwell on (2 of 2)

dwell

/ (dwɛl) /

verb dwells, dwelling, dwelt (dwɛlt) or dwelled (intr)

formal, literary to live as a permanent resident
to live (in a specified state)to dwell in poverty

noun

a regular pause in the operation of a machine
a flat or constant-radius portion on a linear or rotary cam enabling the cam follower to remain static for a brief time
Derived Formsdweller, noun

Word Origin for dwell

Old English dwellan to seduce, get lost; related to Old Saxon bidwellian to prevent, Old Norse dvelja, Old High German twellen to prevent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with dwell on

dwell on

Also, dwell upon. Linger over; ponder, speak or write at length. For example, Let's not dwell on this topic too long; we have a lot to cover today. [c. 1500]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.