dwelln.
The action or an act of dwelling.† 1. Delay, stay, stoppage. withoute(n dwell: without delay, straightway. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2831 Ne mak ȝee in þe plain na duell.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 648 Þe iantail knyȝt.. spak with-oute duelle.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2646 Þat myn host may come with-oute dwel.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12992 Fle sathanas, wit-vten duell.
2.
a. Mechanics. A slight pause in the motion of a part of a machine to give time for the completion of the operation effected by the particular part.
ΚΠ
1841 Darker Specif. Patent 9065 7 A dwell of sufficient length to insert the wire [in a carpet loom].
1885 J. Jardine Specif. Patent 4960 4 I am enabled to give a similar rest or dwell to the carriages at each extremity of their motion.
b. The brief continuation of pressure in taking an impression with a hand-press.
ΚΠ
1890 Iron XXXV. 269/1 This positive standstill lasts..during the whole portion of the stroke [of the press], which is technically called the dwell.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
dwellv.
/dwɛl/, U.S. /dwɛl//dwɛld/. Forms: Old English dwellan, Middle English ( Orm.) dwellenn, Middle English–1500s duell(e, (Middle English dewelle, dowelle), Middle English–1500s duel, dwelle, Middle English–1600s dwel, Middle English– dwell. past tense Old English dwealde, Middle English dwalde, dualde, duelde, Middle English dwelde, dwellede, Middle English– dwelled (Middle English–1500s dwellid, dwellyd). β. Middle English duelit, dwelte, Middle English dwellet, dwellit, Middle English– dwelt.ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > incorrect information > report or state wrongly [verb (transitive)] > lead into error, mislead
dwellc888
forlereOE
beleada1000
forleseOE
misteachOE
undergoc1000
mislearOE
misleadOE
bicharrea1100
bedwelec1205
overlead?c1225
misbihedec1300
miswendc1325
misguyc1375
miscounsel1389
misbeleadc1390
faitc1430
miswrest?a1475
misguide1480
scandalize1538
misadvise1548
misdraw1599
misdirect1603
traduce1613
to throw (also put) off the scenta1637
misswaya1640
undirect1647
mislight1648
widdlea1689
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §5 Me þincþ þæt þu me dwelige [MS. Cott. dwelle].
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §5 Ðu rædest ær þæt ic þe dwealde. Ac me þincþ selfum þæt ic þe nauht ne dwelode [MS. Cott. dwelle].
c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 492 Þa..dry~men..ferdon him ætforan mid heora scincræfte, þæt folc dweliende.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28031 Quen yee sa bede your war to sell, Þe fole marchandis eth to duell.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17708 Þei fell als þai in duale war dueld [Gött. delued].
ΚΠ
OE Riddle 11 3 Ic dysge dwelle ond dole hwette unrædsiþas, oþrum styre nyttre fore.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)]
geleOE
studegieOE
abideOE
to do in or a (= on) fristc1175
dwellc1175
demurc1230
targec1250
dretcha1325
tarrya1375
sojourn1377
defer1382
letc1385
hinderc1386
blina1400
delay?a1400
honea1400
litea1400
overbidea1400
prolongc1425
supersede1433
hoverc1440
tarrowc1480
sunyie1488
stay?a1500
sleep1519
slack1530
protract1540
linger1548
procrastinate1548
slackc1560
slug1565
jauk1568
temporize1579
detract1584
longering1587
sit1591
prorogue1593
to time it out1613
to lie out1640
crastinate1656
taigle17..
to hang fire1782
to hold off1790
to hang it on1819
prevaricate1854
to lie over1856
to tread water1942
to drag one's feet1946
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 13218 [He] Ne dwalde nohht to kiþenn himm. Þatt god tatt himm was awwnedd.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 9938 He nollde nohht. Þatt aniȝ shollde dwellenn. Ne draȝhenn nohht fra daȝȝ to daȝȝ.
a1325 Prose Psalter xliii[i]. 25 Arise vp, Lord; whi dwellestou?
c1330 Havelok 1352 Loke that thou dwellen nouth: Dwelling haueth ofte scathe wrouth.
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 330 Thilke tale is al to longe for to telle, And eek it is ny day, I may nat dwelle.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xi. vii I drede we dwelle ouer longe from the sege.
4. † b. to let dwell: to let (things) remain as they are, let alone, let be. Obsolete.
a. To abide or continue for a time, in a place, state, or condition. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue > in a place, state, or condition
dwellc1175
to stop on1889
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5576 Himm reoweþþ þatt he dwelleþþ her. Swa swiþe lannge onn eorþe.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 318 Crist duelled in preyere al þe nyȝt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17288 + 393 Sir, dwelle withe vus, for it is nerhand night.
a1483 Liber Niger in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 66 If any sergeaunt..dwelle in arerages, he to be sent into the ward of Marchalcye.
1550 R. Crowley One & Thyrtye Epigrammes sig. Aiiiv They be determined styll in their synne to dwell.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. iii. 154 Ile rather dwell in my necessitie. View more context for this quotation
1670 T. Brooks Wks. (1867) VI. 390 A man..would dwell in this contemplation of heaven, and be loath to come out of it.
1797 W. Godwin Enquirer i. vi. 40 Their lines dwell upon our memory.
1896 J. Davidson Fleet St. Eclogues 25 Fainter Voices Echo about the air and dwell and die.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > abstain from interfering with
to let alonec897
leaveOE
to let bec1000
to let bec1175
to let (a person or thing) yworth?c1225
to let (something) standa1400
to let dwella1500
to leave to oneself (also itself)?1531
let1818
to let a thing bide1866
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 2005 Let we now this children dwell, And speke we more of Desonell.
c. Of a horse: (a) To be slow in raising the feet from the ground in stepping. (b) To pause before taking a fence.
ΚΠ
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 48 They..are apt..to interfere or cut, and to dwell upon the Ground (as the Jockeys term it).
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 76 The Horse that takes long Steps, and dwells upon the Ground.
1885 Sat. Rev. 14 Feb. 206/1 Horses that ‘dwell’ at their fences are in our opinion, most objectionable hunters.
d. Mechanics. To pause. See dwell n. 2.
ΚΠ
1836 [implied in: Stansfeld Specif. Patent 7130 2 Producing a gradual pressure and dwelling action of the lay or slay. (at dwelling action at dwelling n. Compounds)].
1888 C. P. Brooks Cotton Manuf. 61 The slay dwells longer at the healds than at the cloth.
5. to dwell on, upon (†in): to spend time upon or linger over (a thing) in action or thought; to remain with the attention fixed on; now, esp. to treat at length or with insistence, in speech or writing; also, to sustain (a note) in music. (The most frequent current use in speech.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > insist or persist [verb (transitive)] > dwell upon
to dwell on, upon (in)a1522
to stay on1579
weigh1817
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > dwell upon
to stand on ——a1425
to dwell on, upon (in)a1522
to stand upon ——1549
to stand in ——1550
to stand of ——1599
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 69 He dwellide on þe cure, and I wente my wey.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 246 Thai chargyt the geyler nocht on him to duell, Bot bryng him wp out of that vgly sell To Iugisment.]
a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) i. Prol. 246 Quhat suld I langar on hys errouris dwell?
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xliv. 289 Not to dwel any longer in this point.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 53 Enterchange of sweet discourse, Which so long sundried friends should dwel vpon. View more context for this quotation
1652 J. Wright tr. J.-P. Camus Nature's Paradox 222 Not to dwell any longer in these lawless proceedings.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 28. ⁋13 That Letter dwells upon the Unreasonableness of the Allies.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) II. 33 The mind..can make the eye dwell on the more pleasing parts.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 274 Now she dwells on a single note.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. I. i. v. §3. 82 This proposition requires to be somewhat dwelt upon.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 495 [Plato] is constantly dwelling on the importance of regular classification.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue
bidec893
lastOE
through-wonOE
ylasta1000
standOE
runOE
lastlOE
beleavec1200
abidec1275
cleavec1275
durec1275
dwell13..
endurec1386
perseverec1390
continuec1400
contunec1400
tarrya1450
remainc1455
perdure?a1475
rest1474
permanec1485
succeed1486
perpetuate1530
persist1531
demur1547
perduratea1558
weara1568
to hold it out1585
to hold out1585
abye1590
contain1592
live1592
perennate1623
to draw overa1700
exist1754
linger1764
to hang it out1939
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > remain in one place
stickeOE
abideOE
dwell13..
occupy1413
to leave behind?a1425
remain1426
reside1488
consist1542
in1825
to stay put1843
13.. Guy Warw. (Caius) 294 Yf I my sorowe hir doo not telle, Allas, wrecche, how shall y duelle?
1394 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1836) I. 186 I will that this place dwell still to my wyfe and to my childer.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 49 For so þe schap of þe lyme [= limb] mai dwelle faire and strengere.
1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 83 I have chosen ȝou alle, that ȝe gon and beren fruyte, and ȝour fruyte may dwellyn.
7. To remain (in a house, country, etc.) as in a permanent residence; to have one's abode; to reside, ‘live’. (Now mostly superseded by live in spoken use; but still common in literature.)
ΚΠ
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne Prol. 65 Y dwelled yn þe pryorye Fyftene ȝere yn cumpanye.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1106 Ðor-quile ðat loth dwelledde ðor.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. xvii His mayster Bleyse that dwelde in Northumberland.
1574 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 156 The tenemente..wherein George Taylor lately dwelled.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxviii. 240 The King that dwelleth in Heaven.
1798 W. Wordsworth We are Seven in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 111 Two of us at Conway dwell, And two are gone to sea.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People i. §1. 3 As they fought side by side on the field, so they dwelled side by side on the soil.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > [verb (transitive)]
wonOE
erdeOE
inwonea1300
inhabitc1374
indwell1382
occupya1387
biga1400
endwellc1420
possessc1450
purprise1481
people1490
dwell1520
accompany?c1525
replenishc1540
populate1578
habit1580
inhabitate1600
tenant1635
improvec1650
manure1698
1520 R. Elyot Will in T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour (1880) I. App. A. 315 The tenement that she dwellith in Sarum.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 331 We..Who dwell this wild, constrain'd by want. View more context for this quotation
1799 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. 7 139 And now I dwell the cloister, sweep the ailes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > be present at [verb (transitive)] > be present in > cause to be present in
dwell1667
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 487 The promise of the Father, who shall dwell His Spirit within them. View more context for this quotation
Derivatives
dwelling adj. remaining, lasting, abiding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > [adjective] > long-lasting or enduring
longeOE
longsomeeOE
long of lifeOE
lastinga1225
cleaving1340
continualc1340
dwellingc1380
long-livinga1382
everlastingc1384
long-duringa1387
long-lasting?a1400
long-liveda1400
broadc1400
permanable?c1422
perseverant?a1425
permanentc1425
perdurable?a1439
continuedc1440
abiding1448
unremoved1455
eternalc1460
long-continued1464
continuing1526
long-enduring1527
enduring1532
immortal1538
diuturn?1541
veterated1547
resiant?1567
stayinga1568
well-wearinga1568
substantive1575
pertinacious1578
extant1581
ceaseless1590
marble1596
of length1597
longeval1598
diuturnal1599
nine-lived1600
chronic1601
unexhausted1602
chronical1604
endurable1607
continuant1610
indeflourishing1610
aged1611
indurant1611
continuatea1616
perennious1628
seculara1631
undiscontinueda1631
continuated1632
untransitory1632
long-spun1633
momently1641
stative1643
outliving1645
constant1653
long-descended1660
voluminousa1661
perduring1664
perdurant1671
livelong1673
perennial1676
longeve1678
consequential1681
unquenched1703
lifelong1746
momentary1755
inveterate1780
stabile1797
persistent1826
unpassing1831
all-time1846
year-long1846
teak-built1847
lengthful1855
long-term1867
long haul1873
sticky1879
week-to-week1879
perenduring1883
long-range1885
longish1889
long-time1902
long run1904
long-life1915
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 293 Apostlis chosen preestis..and maden hem dwellinge curatis.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Lev. xix. 17) 151 The neglect of this dutie breed's dwelling suspicions.
1872 A. Shadwell in J. E. Morgan University Oars (1873) 316 The blade long enough in the water to secure a dwelling stroke.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > [adjective]
inhabitate?a1475
peopleda1475
occupied1483
biggitc1485
denizened1557
inhabited1576
dwelt1610
populated1662
unabandoned1745
undeserted1792
empeopled1801
habited1866
lived-in1873
tenanted1886
1610 H. Broughton Iob xxxiv. 69 Who settled all the dwelt-land.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1300
v.c888