dwelling
UK: ˈdwelɪŋ | US: ˈdwelɪŋ
n. a place where someone lives; a residence or habitation
n. (archaic) the act of living in a place
dwell<to linger> + ing<noun suffix>
- dwell: From Old English dwellan ("to lead astray, delay, linger"), later evolving to mean "to reside."
- ing: A suffix forming nouns from verbs, indicating an action or its result.
Etymology Origin:
The word "dwelling" originates from the Old English dwellan, which initially meant "to delay" or "linger." Over time, the meaning shifted to "to reside," reflecting the idea of staying in a place for an extended period. The suffix -ing transforms the verb into a noun, denoting the place where one "lingers" or lives. This evolution captures the transition from temporary delay to permanent habitation.
The small cottage was her dwelling for over twenty years.
Ancient caves served as dwellings for early humans.
The city has many high-rise dwellings for its growing population.
He preferred a simple dwelling close to nature.
The law protects the right to safe and sanitary dwellings.