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indwell

[in-dwel]
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verb (used with object), in·dwelt, in·dwell·ing.
  1. to inhabit.
  2. to possess (a person), as a moral principle or motivating force: compassion that indwells the heart.
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verb (used without object), in·dwelt, in·dwell·ing.
  1. to dwell (usually followed by in).
  2. to abide within, as a guiding force, motivating principle, etc. (usually followed by in): a divine spirit indwelling in nature and the universe.
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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

dwellersettlercolonistinmateoccupantcitizenincumbentresidentdenizenrenterinhabitantholdertenantlocalnativelodgerlesseeaborigineboarderneighbor

Examples from the Web for indweller

Historical Examples

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