from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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[aum]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.
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2. A portion of space or of time considered as measured by
its length; -- often in the plural.
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Large lengths of seas and shores. --Shak.
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The future but a length behind the past. --Dryden.
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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.
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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.
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5. Detail or amplification; unfolding; continuance as, to
pursue a subject to a great length.
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May Heaven, great monarch, still augment your bliss
With length of days, and every day like this.
--Dryden.
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6. Distance. [Obs.]
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He had marched to the length of Exeter. --Clarendon.
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{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}.
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