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lengthen

 - 2 dictionary results

length⋅en

[lengk-thuhn, leng-, len-]
–verb (used with object)
1. to make longer; make greater in length.
–verb (used without object)
2. to become greater in length; grow long or longer.

Origin:
1490–1500; length + -en 1


length⋅en⋅er, noun


1. elongate, draw out. Lengthen, extend, stretch, prolong, protract agree in the idea of making longer. To lengthen is to make longer, either in a material or an immaterial sense: to lengthen a dress. To extend is to lengthen beyond some original point or so as to reach a certain point: to extend a railway line by a hundred miles. To stretch is primarily to lengthen by drawing or tension: to stretch a rubber band. Both prolong and protract mean esp. to lengthen in time, and therefore apply to intangibles. To prolong is to continue beyond the desired, estimated, or allotted time: to prolong an interview. To protract is to draw out to undue length or to be slow in coming to a conclusion: to protract a discussion.


1. shorten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lengthen
length·en   (lěngk'thən, lěng'-, lěn'-)   
tr. & intr.v.   length·ened, length·en·ing, length·ens
To make or become longer.
length'en·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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