Lingering
/ˈlɪŋ.ɡər.ɪŋ/noun
Remaining present for a long time or delaying departure.
Did you know?“Linger” is historically tied to the same Germanic root behind “long,” so the word literally carries the idea of something being made to last and stretch out.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*langijaną
“to make long, lengthen”
Old English
OE
lengan
“to prolong, lengthen”
Middle English
ME
lingen
“to stay longer, delay”
15th Century
English
linger
“to tarry, remain behind”
Modern English
English
lingering
“remaining or continuing for an extended time”