- Length
- Length Length (l[e^]ngth), n. [OE. lengthe, AS. leng[eth], fr.
lang, long, long; akin to D. lengte, Dan. l[ae]ngde, Sw.
l["a]ngd, Icel. lengd. See {Long}, a. ]
1. The longest, or longer, dimension of any object, in
distinction from {breadth} or {width}; extent of anything
from end to end; the longest line which can be drawn
through a body, parallel to its sides; as, the length of a
church, or of a ship; the length of a rope or line.
[1913 Webster]
2. A portion of space or of time considered as measured by its length; -- often in the plural. [1913 Webster]
Large lengths of seas and shores. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The future but a length behind the past. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. The quality or state of being long, in space or time; extent; duration; as, some sea birds are remarkable for the length of their wings; he was tired by the length of the sermon, and the length of his walk. [1913 Webster]
4. A single piece or subdivision of a series, or of a number of long pieces which may be connected together; as, a length of pipe; a length of fence. [1913 Webster]
5. Detail or amplification; unfolding; continuance as, to pursue a subject to a great length. [1913 Webster]
May Heaven, great monarch, still augment your bliss With length of days, and every day like this. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
6. Distance. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
He had marched to the length of Exeter. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
{At length}. (a) At or in the full extent; without abbreviation; as, let the name be inserted at length. (b) At the end or conclusion; after a long period. See Syn. of At last, under {Last}.
{At arm's length}. See under {Arm}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
