'Linger' definitions:

Definition of 'linger'

From: WordNet
verb
Remain present although waning or gradually dying; "Her perfume lingered on"
verb
Be about; "The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square"; "Who is this man that is hanging around the department?" [syn: loiter, lounge, footle, lollygag, loaf, lallygag, hang around, mess about, tarry, linger, lurk, mill about, mill around]
verb
Leave slowly and hesitantly [syn: tarry, linger]
verb
Take one's time; proceed slowly [syn: linger, dawdle] [ant: belt along, bucket along, cannonball along, hasten, hie, hotfoot, pelt along, race, rush, rush along, speed, step on it]
verb
Move to and fro; "The shy student lingered in the corner" [syn: hover, linger]

Definition of 'Linger'

From: GCIDE
  • Linger \Lin"ger\ (l[i^][ng]"g[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lingered (l[i^][ng]"g[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lingering.] [OE. lengen to tarry, AS. lengan to prolong, put off, fr. lang long. [root]125. See Long, a.] To delay; to loiter; to remain or wait long; to be slow or reluctant in parting or moving; to be slow in deciding; to be in suspense; to hesitate. [1913 Webster]
  • Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind. --Gray. [1913 Webster]
  • Perhaps thou linger'st, in deep thoughts detained. --Milton.
  • Syn: To loiter; lag; saunter; delay; tarry; stop; hesitate. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Linger'

From: GCIDE
  • Linger \Lin"ger\, v. t.
  • 1. To protract; to draw out. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • She lingers my desires. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To spend or pass in a lingering manner; -- with out; as, to linger out one's days on a sick bed. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]