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prolong. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
prolong, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
prolong in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
prolong you have here. The definition of the word
prolong will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
prolong, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Either a back-formation from prolongation, or from Old French prolonguer or porloignier, from Latin prōlongō, from prō + longō. Doublet of purloin.
Pronunciation
Verb
prolong (third-person singular simple present prolongs, present participle prolonging, simple past and past participle prolonged)
- (transitive) To extend in space or length.
- (transitive) To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of
- Synonym: draw out
Complaining prolongs one’s pain.
1922, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”
- (transitive) To put off to a distant time; to postpone.
The government shouldn't prolong deciding on this issue any further.
- (intransitive) To become longer; lengthen.
Derived terms
Translations
to extend in space or length
to lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue
to lengthen; to put off to a distant time; to postpone
References
- “prolong”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “prolong”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.