[ lɛŋθ , lɛŋkθ ]
■ noun
1》 the measurement or extent of something from end to end; the greater or greatest of two or more dimensions of an object.
↘the ~ of a horse, boat, etc., as a measure of the lead in a race.
2》 the amount of time occupied by something.
3》 the quality of being long.
↘ Prosody & Phonetics the metrical quantity or duration of a vowel or syllable.
4》 the full distance that a thing extends for: the muscles running the ~ of my spine.
↘the extent of a garment in a vertical direction when worn.
5》 a stretch or piece of something.
6》 an extreme to which a course of action is taken.
7》 (in bridge or whist) the number of cards of a suit held in one's hand.
8》 Cricket the distance from the batsman at which a well-bowled ball pitches.
Phrases
at ~
1》 in detail; fully.
2》 after a long time.
the ~ and breadth of the whole extent of.
Origin
OE ~u , of Gmc origin; related to long 1 .