inhabit, v.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈhæbɪt/
Forms: α. ME–15 enhabit(e, ME enhabyte, enhabete. β. ME–16 inhabite, ME inhabet(t, inhabete, ME–15 inhabyt(e, 15 inabite, 15– inhabit. pa. pple. en-, inhabited; also ME–16 enhabit, inhabit, inhabite.(Show Less)
Etymology: < Old French enhabiter (12th cent. in Godefroy) to dwell, dwell in, < Latin inhabitāre , < in- (in- prefix2) + habitāre to dwell: see habit v.
1.
a. trans. To dwell in, occupy as an abode; to live permanently or habitually in (a region, element, etc.); to reside in (a country, town, dwelling, etc.). Said of men and animals.
1477 Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 84 This cite is enhabited with women withoute king.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 324 The citee..Of worthy folk..Was inhabited here and there.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 174 London..is inhabited with men of everye facultie.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. lxv. 21 They shall build houses, and inhabit them.
1797 T. Bewick Hist. Brit. Birds I. 10 This bird inhabits all the northern parts of Europe.
1881 Athenæum No. 2777. 97 The pelagie fishes, or those which inhabit the mid ocean.
†4.
a. To establish or settle (a person, etc.) in a place, to furnish with a habitation; to locate, house; refl. to establish oneself, take up one’s abode; pass., to be domiciled or resident.
a1616 Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. iii. 7 O knowledge ill inhabited, worse then Ioue in a thatch’d house!
Inhabit Your Town 