'To dwell on' definitions:

Definition of 'To dwell on'

From: GCIDE
  • Dwell \Dwell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dwelled, usually contracted into Dwelt (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dwelling.] [OE. dwellen, dwelien, to err, linger, AS. dwellan to deceive, hinder, delay, dwelian to err; akin to Icel. dvelja to delay, tarry, Sw. dv[aum]ljas to dwell, Dan. dv[ae]le to linger, and to E. dull. See Dull, and cf. Dwale.]
  • 1. To delay; to linger. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To abide; to remain; to continue. [1913 Webster]
  • I 'll rather dwell in my necessity. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To abide as a permanent resident, or for a time; to live in a place; to reside. [1913 Webster]
  • The parish in which I was born, dwell, and have possessions. --Peacham. [1913 Webster]
  • The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the hall where the lord of the domain resides. --C. J. Smith. [1913 Webster]
  • To dwell in, to abide in (a place); hence, to depend on. "My hopes in heaven to dwell." --Shak.
  • To dwell on or To dwell upon, to continue long on or in; to remain absorbed with; to stick to; to make much of; as, to dwell upon a subject; a singer dwells on a note. [1913 Webster]
  • They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and language, fixed in amazement. --Buckminster.
  • Syn: To inhabit; live; abide; sojourn; reside; continue; stay; rest. [1913 Webster]