to delay going, esp because of reluctance to leave; to tarry
to be protracted or slow in disappearing
The smell of burning lingered for several days
(+ over/on/upon) to spend a long time doing, dealing with, or looking at something, usu because it gives pleasure
to be slow to act; to procrastinate
(often + on) to continue in a failing or moribund state
lingerer noun
lingering adj
lingeringly adv
[Middle English (northern) lengeren to dwell, frequentative of lengen to prolong, from Old English lengan]