Dwell definition
To exist in a given place or state.
Dwell in joy.
verb
To live as a resident; reside.
verb
Dwell is defined as to live somewhere, to remain for a time or to continue thinking, writing or speaking about a particular point.
An example of dwell is to live in a cottage by the sea for several years.
An example of dwell is to continue feeling angry about an argument, even though it is long over.
verb
To speak or write at length; expatiate.
Dwelt on the need to trim the budget.
verb
To fasten one's attention on something, especially moodily or persistently.
Kept dwelling on what went wrong.
verb
(intransitive, engineering) To be in a given state.
verb
(intransitive) To abide; to remain; to continue.
verb
To make one's home; reside; live.
verb
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(engineering) A period of time in which a system or component remains in a given state.
noun
(automotive) In a petrol engine, the period of time the ignition points are closed to let current flow through the ignition coil in between each spark. This is measured as an angle in degrees around the camshaft in the distributor which controls the points, for example in a 4-cylinder engine it might be 55° (spark at 90° intervals, points closed for 55° between each).
noun
dwell on
- to linger over in thought or speech; think about or discuss at length
idiom
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Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of dwell
- Middle English dwellen from Old English dwellan to mislead, delay, dwell
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Old English dwellan, which is from or cognate to Old Norse dvelja. Cognates include Danish dvæle and Swedish dväljas.
From Wiktionary