to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave: We lingered awhile after the party.
2.
to remain alive; continue or persist, although gradually dying, ceasing, disappearing, etc.: She lingered a few months after the heart attack. Such practices still linger among the older natives.
3.
to dwell in contemplation, thought, or enjoyment: to linger over the beauty of a painting.
4.
to be tardy in action; delay; dawdle: to linger in discharging one's duties.
Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English lengeren to dwell, remain (somewhere), frequentative of lengen,Old English lengan to delay, prolong, literally, lengthen. See long1, -er6