inhabit

in·hab·it

verb \in-ˈha-bət\

Definition of INHABIT

transitive verb

1

: to occupy as a place of settled residence or habitat : live in <inhabit a small house>

2

: to be present in or occupy in any manner or form <the human beings who inhabit this tale — Al Newman>

intransitive verb

archaic : to have residence in a place : dwell

— in·hab·it·able \-bə-tə-bəl\ adjective

— in·hab·it·er noun

Examples of INHABIT

1. Several hundred species of birds inhabit the island.
2. This part of the country is inhabited by native tribes.
3. There is a romantic quality that inhabits all her paintings.
4. The novel is inhabited by a cast of eccentric characters.

Origin of INHABIT

Middle English enhabiten, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French inhabiter, enhabiter, from Latin inhabitare, from in- + habitare to dwell, frequentative of habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with INHABIT

cohabit, jackrabbit