Verb

(en verb)

To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

* 1859 , , A Tale of Two Cities , ch. 15:

His tone lingered in the air, almost like the tone of a musical instrument.

* 1891 , , "Mrs. Manstey's View":

She lingered in the window.

* 2011 April 25, Alice Park, " Upgrading the Disaster," Time :

It takes into account . . . predictions of how long radioactive contaminants will linger in the soil and water near the nuclear facility.

To remain alive or existent although still proceeding toward death or extinction; to die gradually.

* 1887 , , The Woodlanders , ch. 14:

He lingered through the day, and died that evening as the sun went down.

* 1904 , , "Asmund and Signy" in The Brown Fairy Book :

During his absence the queen fell ill, and after lingering for some time she died.

(often followed by on) To consider or contemplate for a period of time; to engage in analytical thinking or discussion.

* 2011 April 14, Michael Scherer, " Trump's Political Reality Show: Will the Donald Really Run for President?," Time :

Trump doesn't linger on the poll.

Verb

(continu)

to proceed with (doing an activity); to prolong (an activity).

Shall I continue speaking, or will you just interrupt me again?

Do you want me to continue to unload these?

* {{quote-news, year=2012, date=April 15, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC

, title= Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea , passage=Fuelled by their fury, Spurs surged forward and gave themselves hope after 56 minutes when Scott Parker's precise through-ball released Adebayor. He was pulled down in the area by Cech but referee Atkinson allowed play to continue for Bale to roll the ball into an empty net.}}

*

Firstly, I continue to base most species treatments on personally collected material, rather than on herbarium plants.

To make last; to prolong.

* , New York, 2001, p.74:

Can you account him wise or discreet that would willingly have his health, and yet will do nothing that should procure or continue it?

To retain (someone) in a given state, position etc.

* 2002 , , The Great Nation , Penguin 2003, p.257:

The schools were very much the brainchild of Bertin, and although the latter was ousted from the post of Controller-General by Choiseul in 1763, he was continued by the king as a fifth secretary of state […].

To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.

* Milton

Here to continue , and build up here / A growing empire.

* Bible, Matthew xv. 32

They continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

to resume

When will the concert continue ?

(legal) To adjourn, prorogue, put off.

This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.

(poker slang) To make a continuation bet.