verb / noun

dwell

DWELL/dwel/

To remain in a place for a period.

He dwells in a modest home and tends a potted plant.

An older man comfortably tends a potted plant at the open doorway of his modest home, conveying that this is where he lives.

Etymology

Old English dwellan meant “to mislead,” not “to live somewhere.” The apparent development toward the modern meaning passed through “delay” and “linger, remain”: staying in a place became making it one's home.

In context

Off The Left Eye0:47

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever so two themes seem to be emerging here God wants us to live in his house and he wants us to live there forever

Can You Dwell in the House of the Lord? - S&L Short Clips

More examples

Several families dwell in the valley throughout the year.
She dwells on small mistakes long after everyone else forgets.
The machine has a brief dwell before its next stroke.

Forms

dwell · dwells · dwelled · dwelt · dwelling

dwelling noun — A place where someone lives.

dweller noun — A person who lives in a particular place.

Similar words

remain: Emphasizes staying rather than leaving, without implying a home.
reside: Specifically means having one's home in a particular place.
linger: Suggests staying longer than expected or being slow to leave.