linger
UK: ˈlɪŋɡə | US: ˈlɪŋɡər
vi. to stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctantly
vi. to remain alive or exist but with diminishing strength
vi. (of a feeling or idea) to persist slowly
"Linger" traces back to Old English lengan, meaning "to prolong" or "make long," combined with the repetitive suffix -er. The word originally conveyed the idea of dragging out time, evolving to its modern sense of reluctant or slow departure. The core logic ties "long" (duration) to hesitation or delayed action, reflecting a vivid image of something (or someone) unwilling to leave.
The smell of coffee lingered in the kitchen all morning.
He lingered at the door, hesitant to say goodbye.
Despite the treatment, her illness lingered for months.
Old traditions linger in this remote village.
A faint hope lingered in his heart.