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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.).
Derivatives:
dweller n.
Etymology: OE dwellan lead astray, later 'continue in a place', f. Gmc