Definition of dwell on

The phrase "dwell on" originated in medieval English as a worked-out form of the Old English phrase "dwelan on," meaning "to live in a place or state for a long time." This phrase evolved into the Middle English "dwellen on," which later transformed into the modern English "dwell on." The meaning of "dwell on" shifted over time from "to reside in" to "to focus or linger on" due to the changing context in which it was used. In the 16th century, "dwell on" started to be employed more often in a metaphorical sense, signifying prolonged contemplation or attention to a particular subject, emotion, or concept. Through centuries, "dwell on" has remained a common English idiom, used in various contexts to convey a sense of duration, intensity, and consciousness. The oxygenated form "dwell upon" is often seen as more literary or formal, but either form can be used interchangeably in modern English.