The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lingering \Lin"ger*ing\, a.
   1. Delaying.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Drawn out in time; remaining long; protracted; as, a
      lingering disease.
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            To die is the fate of man; but to die with lingering
            anguish is generally his folly.       --Rambler.
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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.
   [1913 Webster]

         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.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

lingering
    n 1: the act of tarrying [syn: tarriance, lingering]