Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for LENGTH
LENGTH, n. [Sax. lengthe, from leng, long; D. lengte.]
- The extent of any thing material 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.
- Extent; extension. Stretch'd at his length, he spurns the swarthy ground. – Dryden.
- A certain extent; a portion of space; with a plural. Large lengths of seas and shores. – Shak.
- Space of time; duration, indefinitely; as, a great length of time. What length of time will this enterprise require for its accomplishment?
- Long duration. May heaven, great monarch, still augment your bliss, / With length of days, and every day like this. – Dryden.
- Reach or extent; as, to pursue a subject to a great length.
- Extent; as, the length of a discourse, essay, or argument.
- Distance. He had marched to the length of Exeter. [Unusual and inelegant.] – Clarendon. At length, at or in the full extent. Let the name be inserted at length. #2. At last; at the end or conclusion. – Dryden.
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