v. & n.
v.intr. (past and past part. dwelt or dwelled) 1 literary (usu. foll. by in, at, near, on, etc.) live, reside (dwelt in the forest). 2 (of a horse) be slow in raising its feet; pause before taking a fence.
n. a slight, regular pause in the motion of a machine. dwell on (or upon) 1 spend time on, linger over; write, brood, or speak at length on (a specified subject) (always dwells on his grievances). 2 prolong (a note, a syllable, etc.). dweller n.
[ OE dwellan lead astray, later 'continue in a place', f. Gmc ]