indwell

[in-dwel]

See more synonyms for indwell on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·dwelt, in·dwell·ing.

to inhabit.
to possess (a person), as a moral principle or motivating force: compassion that indwells the heart.

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

to dwell (usually followed by in).
to abide within, as a guiding force, motivating principle, etc. (usually followed by in): a divine spirit indwelling in nature and the universe.

Origin of indwell

First recorded in 1350–1400, indwell is from the Middle English word indwellen. See in-¹, dwell

Related formsin·dwell·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for indweller

dweller, settler, colonist, inmate, occupant, citizen, incumbent, resident, denizen, renter, inhabitant, holder, tenant, local, native, lodger, lessee, aborigine, boarder, neighbor

Examples from the Web for indweller

Historical Examples of indweller

The passer-by sees in this glass only the face of the indweller.
The Quest
Frederik van Eeden
Henceforward he is an indweller in all tongues and in all countries, in the universal past and the universal future.
Romain Rolland
Stefan Zweig

British Dictionary definitions for indweller

indwell

verb -dwells, -dwelling or -dwelt

(tr) (of a spirit, principle, etc) to inhabit; suffuse
(intr) to dwell; exist

Derived Formsindweller, noun

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