leŋθ n. 1
measurement or
extent from end to end;
the greater of
two or the greatest of
three dimensions of a
body. 2 extent
in,
of, or
with regard to,
time (a stay of
some length; the length of a speech). 3 the
distance a
thing extends (at arm's length; ships a cable's length apart). 4 the length of a
horse,
boat,
etc., as a
measure of the lead in a race. 5 a long
stretch or extent (a length of hair). 6 a
degree of thoroughness in
action (went to
great lengths; prepared to go to
any length). 7 a
piece of
material of a
certain length (a length of cloth). 8
Prosody the
quantity of a
vowel or
syllable. 9 Cricket a the distance from the
batsman at
which the ball pitches (the bowler keeps a
good length). b the
proper amount of
this. 10 the extent of a
garment in a
vertical direction when worn. 11 the full extent of one's body. øat length 1 (also at full or great etc. length) in
detail,
without curtailment. 2
after a long time, at last. [OE lengthu f. Gmc (as LONG(1))]
