dwell
dwell Lexical Profile
dwell Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To think, speak, or write at length about a particular subject, especially one that is unpleasant or a source of anxiety (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"It is much healthier to focus on future solutions rather than dwell on past mistakes."
To live or stay as a permanent resident in a specified place.
"For centuries, nomadic tribes have chosen to dwell in the fertile valleys during the winter months."
• noun
A brief, planned pause in the motion of a part of a machine during an operating cycle, allowing another operation to take place.
"The engineer adjusted the cam profile to increase the dwell at the bottom of the stroke."
Word Nuance & Usage
Both 'dwelled' and 'dwelt' are acceptable past tense and past participle forms, with 'dwelt' being more common in British English and 'dwelled' preferred in American English.
• Rhymes for dwell
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'dwellan', meaning 'to lead astray, hinder, or delay', which evolved in Middle English under Old Norse influence to mean 'to tarry, abide, or reside'.