long

Main Entry:: ¹long
Pronunciation:: \ˈlȯŋ\
Function:: adjective
Inflected Form(s):: lon·ger \ˈlȯŋ-gər also -ər\ ; lon·gest \ˈlȯŋ-gəst also -əst\
Etymology:: Middle English long, lang, from Old English; akin to Old High German lang long, 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 : large5 aof 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> cof a syllable in prosody (1): of relatively extended duration (2): bearing a stress or accent6: 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 odds12: 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

\ˈlȯŋ-nəs\ noun

— long in the tooth

: past one's best days : old

— not long for

: having little time left to do or enjoy something

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