n.
Pronunciation: ' lo ̇ ŋ
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: lon · ger \ lo ̇ ŋ -g ə r also - ə r \ ; lon · gest \ ' lo ̇ ŋ -g ə st also - ə st \
Etymology: Middle English longitude, lang, from Old English; akin to Old High German lang longitude, Latin longus
Date: before 12th century
1 a : extending for a considerable distance b : having greater length than usual <a long corridor> c : having greater height than usual : TALL d : having a greater length than breadth : ELONGATED e : having a greater length than desirable or necessary <the column is one line too long > f : FULL-LENGTH < long pants>
2 a : having a specified length <six feet long > b : forming the chief linear dimension <the long side of the room>
3 a : extending over a considerable time <a long friendship> b : having a specified duration <two hours long > c : prolonged beyond the usual time <a long look> d : lasting too long : TEDIOUS <a long explanation>
4 a : containing many items in a series <a long list> b : having a specified number of units <300 pages long > c : consisting of a greater number or amount than usual : LARGE
5 a of a speech sound : having a relatively long duration b : being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel long in duration < long a in fate > < long i in sign > c of a syllable in prosody (1) : of relatively extended duration (2) : bearing a stress or accent
6 : having the capacity to reach, extend, or travel a considerable distance <a long left jab> <tried to hit the long ball>
7 : larger or longer than the standard <a long count by the referee>
8 a : extending far into the future <the thoughts of youth are long , long thoughts ― H. W. Longfellow> b : extending beyond what is known <a long guess> c : payable after a considerable period <a long note>
9 : possessing a high degree or a great deal of something specified : STRONG < long on common sense>
10 a : of an unusual degree of difference between the amounts wagered on each side < long odds> b : of or relating to the larger amount wagered <take the long end of the bet>
11 : subject to great odds
12 : owning or accumulating securities or goods especially in anticipation of an advance in prices <they are now long on wheat> <take a long position in steel>
– long · ness \ ' lo ̇ ŋ -n ə s \ noun
– long in the tooth : past one's best days : OLD
– not long for : having little time left to do or enjoy something