dwell

noun

1. A period of time in which a system or component remains in a given state.
2. A brief pause in the motion of part of a mechanism to allow an operation to be completed.
3. A planned delay in a timed control program.
4. In a petrol engine, the period of time the ignition points are closed to let current flow through the ignition coil in between each spark. This is measured as an angle in degrees around the camshaft in the distributor which controls the points, for example in a 4-cylinder engine it might be 55° (spark at 90° intervals, points closed for 55° between each).

verb

1. (intransitive, literary)To live; to reside.

   “I am fully resolved to go dwell in another house.”

   “The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the hall where the lord of the domain resides.”

   “Well, since my baby left me, Well, I found a new place to dwell. Well, it's down at the end of Lonely Street At Heartbreak Hotel.”

2. (intransitive)To linger (on); to remain fixated.

   “Stop dwelling on the past!”

   “So it came about that long ere Ailie reached home it was on young Heriotside that her mind dwelled, and it was the love of him that made her eyes glow and her cheeks redden.”

   “Jeeves: Foreign travel often liberates emotions best kept in check, sir. The air of North America is notoriously stimulating in this regard, as witness the regrettable behavior of its inhabitants in 1776. B. Wooster: Hm? What happened in 1776, Jeeves? Jeeves: I prefer not to dwell on it, if it's convenient to you, sir.”

   “Corporal Jenkins: They're always getting dropped into impossible situations. Forced to survive unbeatable odds. Just like you on Akuze! Shepard: Fifty marines died there, Jenkins. Corporal Jenkins: Sorry, Commander. I-- I didn't mean to offend you. I respect what you did there. We all do. Doctor Chakwas: Let's not dwell on the past, Commander. Was there something else you needed?”

   “Middlesbrough will wonder whether it might have been different if the volley that Jelle Vossen slashed towards John Ruddy’s net after nine minutes had been a couple inches lower rather than clanging off the crossbar. They should not dwell on that moment too long, however.”

3. (intransitive)To be in a given state.
4. (intransitive)To abide; to remain; to continue.

   “My liefe (ſayd ſhe) ye know, that long ygo, / Whileſt ye in durance dwelt, ye to me gaue / A little mayde, the which ye chylded tho ; / The ſame againe if now ye liſt to haue, / The ſame is yonder Lady, whom high God did ſaue.”

   “I'll rather dwell in my necessity.”

   “Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart.”