linger

Definition

To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

Etymology

From Middle English lengeren, frequentative of lengen (“to stay, dwell, tarry”), from Old English lenġan (“to lengthen, delay, extend”), from Proto-West Germanic *langijan, from Proto-Germanic *langijaną (compare West Frisian lingje (“to linger”), Dutch lengen, German längen, Icelandic lengja (“to lengthen”)), related to the root of English long. Equivalent to linge or long + -er (frequentative verb suffix).

Example Sentences

• "Still more foole I ſhall appeare / By the time I linger here"
• "His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument."
• "She lingered in the window until the windy sunset died in bat-colored dusk; then, going to bed, she lay sleepless all night."