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Can anybody give me a single word meaning to abide in a place for long time?

I'm thinking in the context of "to remain in prison" (or elsewhere, against one's will).

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Did you consider to reside or to inhabit ? – Alain Pannetier Φ May 1 '11 at 6:45

5 Answers

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"Languish" seems to be a popular word to evoke that incarceration feeling.

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"Languish" does indeed imply incarceration and/or time-wasting, but why do you say "that incarceration feeling"? OP doesn't mention any such, and to my mind the word abide has overtones of (pleasant) time well (or restfully) spent. Who ever abided in a dungeon? – FumbleFingers May 2 '11 at 0:45
@FumbleFingers - See OP's comment here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/23375/… – WAF May 2 '11 at 1:02
oic. Well, OP should have either said that in the original question, or at least edited it in later. We're not all psychic, and some of us don't read every comment on every answer before chipping in. – FumbleFingers May 2 '11 at 1:12
@FumbleFingers - Agreed. – WAF May 2 '11 at 1:15
Every cloud has a silver lining. I will doubtless be awarded some new SE badge for altruism, having just done the donkey work for OP myself. – FumbleFingers May 2 '11 at 1:33
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settle and dwell

have implications of a "permanent residence" - which might be a slightly longer time than what you're looking for.

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What is the context in which you are using the word? Maybe 'linger' is the word.

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well, to remain in prison or against someones will... – nicholas ainsworth May 1 '11 at 10:27
@nicholas: Abide sounds very voluntary to me. – Callithumpian May 1 '11 at 15:26
up vote 1 down vote

Sojourn? As in "I am a sojourner like my forefathers"

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OP specifically said "for a long time", but to sojourn usually implies the opposite. Including Psalm 39:12, where the prayer also says he's only a "guest" (i.e. - not a native or long-term resident). – FumbleFingers May 2 '11 at 0:40
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Bound - "He was bound to this place by responsibility"

Imprisoned

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