dwell

[ dwel ]

verb (used without object)

, dwelt [dwelt] or dwelled, dwell·ing.

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 or upon ):

   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.

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

/ dwɛl /

verb

1. formal.
   to live as a permanent resident
2. to live (in a specified state)

   to dwell in poverty

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdweller, noun

Other Words From

• dwell·er noun
• out·dwell verb (used with object) outdwelt or outdwelled outdwelling
• pre·dwell verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwell¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwell¹

Old English dwellan to seduce, get lost; related to Old Saxon bidwellian to prevent, Old Norse dvelja, Old High German twellen to prevent

Example Sentences

“We can’t dwell on this, ‘Oh no, woe is me,’” said rookie edge rusher Jared Verse.

From Los Angeles Times

Farrell said on Wednesday that too much has happened since the World Cup for Ireland to dwell on disappointment.

From BBC

It just wasn’t in his nature to dwell on anything.

From Los Angeles Times

His essay does not dwell on some of California’s huge and seemingly intractable challenges — homelessness, generational poverty in urban areas, the housing affordability crisis, the shocking toll rising temperatures are playing in so many parts of life.

From Los Angeles Times

“You don’t want to dwell too long on it,” McVay said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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