LINGER

verb (~ed; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English (northern dialect) lengeren to dwell, frequentative of lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan; akin to Old English lang long Date: 14th century intransitive verb to be slow in parting or in quitting something ; tarry , 2. to remain alive although gradually dying, to remain existent although often waning in strength, importance, or influence , to be slow to act ; procrastinate , to move slowly ; saunter , transitive verb delay , to pass (as a period of time) slowly, ~er noun ~ingly adverb