The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Linger \Lin"ger\ (l[i^][ng]"g[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   Lingered (l[i^][ng]"g[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lingering.]
   [OE. lengen to tarry, AS. lengan to prolong, put off, fr.
   lang long. [root]125. See Long, a.]
   To delay; to loiter; to remain or wait long; to be slow or
   reluctant in parting or moving; to be slow in deciding; to be
   in suspense; to hesitate.
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         Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind. --Gray.
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         Perhaps thou linger'st, in deep thoughts detained.
                                                  --Milton.

   Syn: To loiter; lag; saunter; delay; tarry; stop; hesitate.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Linger \Lin"ger\, v. t.
   1. To protract; to draw out. [Obs.]
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            She lingers my desires.               --Shak.
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   2. To spend or pass in a lingering manner; -- with out; as,
      to linger out one's days on a sick bed. --Dryden.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

linger
    v 1: remain present although waning or gradually dying; "Her
         perfume lingered on"
    2: be about; "The high school students like to loiter in the
       Central Square"; "Who is this man that is hanging around the
       department?" [syn: loiter, lounge, footle, lollygag,
       loaf, lallygag, hang around, mess about, tarry,
       linger, lurk, mill about, mill around]
    3: leave slowly and hesitantly [syn: tarry, linger]
    4: take one's time; proceed slowly [syn: linger, dawdle]
       [ant: belt along, bucket along, cannonball along,
       hasten, hie, hotfoot, pelt along, race, rush,
       rush along, speed, step on it]
    5: move to and fro; "The shy student lingered in the corner"
       [syn: hover, linger]