▪ I. lingering, vbl. n.
(ˈlɪŋgərɪŋ)
[-ing1.]
a. The action of the vb. linger. Also rarely in pl., last remaining traces (of something).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 16292 And quils þou liues here wit vs Þi lengring sal be care. c 1375 Ibid. 6686 (Fairf.) Þe smyter sal quite his leching and make amendis for his lyngering. 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1172/1, I know my lingering not likely to last longe, but out wil my snuffe sodainly some daye within a while. 1570 Sir T. Wilson Demosthenes 45 Lingering is noysome when necessity requires haste. 1582 Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 66 Now, quod he, no lingring, let vs hence. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 702. 1822 W. Irving in Life & Lett. (1864) II. 80, I..am still troubled with lameness and inflammation in the ankles, the lingerings of my tedious malady. 1864 Tennyson En. Ard. 267 After a lingering,..The little innocent soul flitted away. 1886 Willis & Clark Cambridge I. 625 A delay of three years..is a striking illustration of..the lingering of all college work. |
† b. Hankering (after). Obs.
| 1608 Hieron Wks. I. 732/1 Remoue from him..all worldly desires, all lingring after the deceiuing sweetnes of these earthly things. 1642 Rogers Naaman 89 Gods judgements..crossing their lingring after Caanan. |
c. Hort. Retarding the time of blooming by artificial means.
| 1907 Daily Chron. 13 Feb. 6/4 Lingering is retardation without frost; it keeps September roses blooming until January. |
▪ II. ˈlingering, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That lingers, delays, loiters, moves slowly, etc.; remaining behind, slow to depart or disappear.
| a 1547 Surrey in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 31 Of lingring doutes such hope is sprong pardie. 1561 Sackville & Norton Ferrex & Porrex i. ii. 194 The lyngering yeres That draw not forth his ende with faster course. 1594 Warres Cyrus 289 We'll starue them with a lingring siege. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows i. §63. 105 Whether sudden or lingring judgements. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. viii. 100 Restore, my Charms, My lingring Daphnis to my longing Arms. 1750 Gray Elegy 88 Nor cast one longing ling'ring Look behind. 1859 J. Cumming Ruth vi. 95 Even in the worst and most depraved of mankind, there is a lingering sense of gratitude. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 203 The lingering remains of volcanic activity. |
b. esp. of disease, suffering, or death: Slow, painfully protracted. † Of poisons: Characterized by slow or tardy action. Obs.
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 247 They will..torture him with grieuous lingring death. 1611 ― Wint. T. i. ii. 320. 1611 ― Cymb. i. v. 34 Strange ling'ring poysons. 1623 Webster Duchess Malfi v. ii, 'Tis a secret That (like a lingring poyson) may chance lie Spread in thy vaines, and kill thee seauen yeare hence. 1627 F. Little Mon. Chr. Munif. (1871) 67 His lingering disease increasing, and death approaching. 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 289 He yet is extreame weake, and I feare his sicknes will proue lingering, but I hope not in any daunger of his life. 1671 Milton Samson 618. 1675 Brooks Gold. Key Wks. 1867 V. 81 We see him die with lingering torments. 1677 Barrow Serm. Passion 14 And that no stupifying, no transient pain, but one both very acute and lingring. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 363 ¶13 Lingring and Incurable Distempers. 1762–71 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 22 He retired..to Richmond, where he died of a lingering illness. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. 511 He put the widow of Sévaj{iacu} to a painful and lingering death. 1885 Gilbert Mikado ii. Orig. Plays Ser. iii. (1895) 208 Punishment! Yes. Something lingering, with boiling oil in it, I fancy. 1887 Kent. Gloss. s.v., He's in a poor lingering way. |