Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
loitering
This term carries a strong connotation of suspicion or social nuisance. While standing still is neutral, loitering implies a lack of purpose that often triggers legal or security concerns, particularly in commercial or private spaces. It is frequently used in the context of "No Loitering" signs, where it functions as a legal prohibition against idling in a way that might obstruct traffic or precede criminal activity.
As a noun, the word functions as a gerund describing the activity itself. It is typically treated as an uncountable concept when referring to the general act of idling, though it can be used in specific legal contexts to describe a particular instance of the offense.
Meanings
Examples
The police officer told the group of teenagers that loitering was prohibited.
Stop loitering in the hallway and get to class.
I saw a suspicious man loitering near the bank vault.
The sign clearly states that loitering is a punishable offense.
Why are you just loitering around the lobby instead of checking in?
He spent the afternoon loitering by the pier watching the boats.
The security guard approached the loitering crowd to ask for their identification.