lingering

Variant of linger

linger definition

lin·ger (liŋ′gər)

intransitive verb

  1. to continue to stay, esp. through reluctance to leave lingering at the door
  2. to continue to live or exist although very close to death or the end
  3. to be unnecessarily slow in doing something; delay; loiter

Etymology: North ME lengeren, freq. of lengen, to delay, stay < OE lengan, to lengthen, delay < base of lang, long

transitive verb

to spend (time) idly, slowly, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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