Definition of: linger

(ling′gər) v.i.
1. To stay on as if reluctant to leave; delay going.
2. To move slowly; saunter; loiter: to linger on the way.
3. To dwell upon, as from enjoyment or persistence.
4. To continue in life or existence; endure: often with on: The sound lingers on in my memory.
—v.t.
5. To protract; drag out.
6. To pass (time) in lingering: with away or out. [Earlier lenger, freq. of OE lengen delay. Akin to LONG.]
—lin′ger·er noun Synonyms: crawl, creep, dawdle, delay, drag, flag, halt, hesitate, lag, loiter, saunter, wait. Antonyms: see synonyms for ACCELERATE.