prolongn.
/prəˈlɒŋ/, U.S. /prəˈlɔŋ/, /proʊˈlɔŋ/, /prəˈlɑŋ/, /proʊˈlɑŋ/ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > [noun] > a pleading or plea > plea for sake of delay
dilator1473
prolong1488
dilatory plea1535
dilature1554
dilatory1570
interplea1631
horse-plea1796
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 179 Bot mar prolong throuch Lammermur thai raid.
1568 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) III. 284 I can not say no moir in þis prolong [rhyme strong].
c1626 H. Bisset Rolment Courtis (1920) I. 289 Pro una exceptione protestis for ma..ressonis, to be gevin up..quhen..it effeiris of law, and heirof I and all uthir my prolongis foirsaid.
2. A device used to extend a piece of apparatus. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > metalworking equipment > [noun] > prolongation of smelter
prolong1905
1905 Electrochem. & Metall. Industry 3 9/1 This product..is a by-product with the European smelters, who use sheet-iron ‘prolongs’ on the condensers to collect it.
1918 E. A. Smith Zinc Industry v. 100 These iron prolongs serve to collect the zinc dust not retained by the condensers.
1938 R. Hum Chem. for Engin. Students xxii. 579 Fitted on to the opening of this condenser is a cylindrical iron ‘prolong’,..to trap any zinc dust which may escape the condensers.
1940 G. H. J. Adlam & L. S. Price Higher School Certificate Inorg. Chem. (ed. 2) xxxi. 253 To the end of these retorts, when they have been charged, are fixed earthenware condensers carrying iron ‘prolongs’.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
prolongv.
/prəˈlɒŋ/, U.S. /prəˈlɔŋ/, /proʊˈlɔŋ/, /prəˈlɑŋ/, /proʊˈlɑŋ/ 1. † b. transitive. To cause (a period of time) to be extended; to waste (time) so as to cause delay. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To extend in duration; to cause to continue or last longer; to continue, carry on.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (transitive)] > cause to endure, sustain, or prolong
lengOE
drawOE
teec1200
forlengtha1300
lengtha1300
drivec1300
tarryc1320
proloynec1350
continuec1380
to draw alonga1382
longa1382
dretch1393
conservea1398
to draw (out) in, into, at, or on lengtha1400
prorogue1419
prolongc1425
aroomc1440
prorogate?a1475
protend?a1475
dilate1489
forlong1496
relong1523
to draw out1542
sustentate1542
linger1543
defer1546
pertract1548
propagate1548
protract1548
linger1550
lengthen1555
train1556
detract?a1562
to make forth (long, longer)1565
stretch1568
extend1574
extenuate1583
dree1584
wire-draw1598
to spin out1603
trail1604
disabridge1605
produce1605
continuate1611
out-length1617
spin1629
to eke out1641
producta1670
prolongate1671
drawl1694
drag1697
perennate1698
string1867
perennialize1898
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 400 (MED) He ne myȝte no longer forthe prolonge Þe venym hid.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 193 Iulius Cesar..prolongede his office [L. protelavit dignitatem suam] by his awne auctorite by v yere.
1525 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 111 To set and prolong all and syndrie their fischings and takis, baitht to burgh and to land, now waikand and beand in thair handis.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 132 b Bot he, quha is abstinent, sal prolonge his lyf.
1604 T. Dekker & T. Middleton Honest Whore sig. H3v I thanke you sir, Phisicke prolongs life, when it cannot saue.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 19 To sing thy Praise, wou'd Heav'n my breath prolong.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) civ. iv. ix In praising God, while He prolongs My Breath, I will that Breath employ.
1799 W. Taylor in J. W. Robberds Mem. W. Taylor (1843) I. 242 Prolonging and circumstantializing the description of a funeral.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II clxxvi. 207 Now she prolong'd her visits and her talk.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 253 To prolong the interregnum till the autumn.
1904 ‘O. Henry’ Heart of West xix. 315 In order to successfully prolong the delights of the controversy he must find some means of reducing the great odds against him.
1960 B. Kops Dream of Peter Mann 69 All my life he drives me to this point and now he wants to prolong the agony.
2003 Org. Gardening Sept. 10/1 To prolong the growing season it is well worth covering tender plants with a cloche or fleece.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time [verb (intransitive)] > waste time
prolong1449
protract1526
dally?1548
to burn daylight1597
lapse1667
to hinder time1712
niffle1775
to cut to waste1863
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > grow longer or extend
longOE
reacha1325
lengthc1400
prolong1449
stretcha1616
pretend1655
to spin out1720
J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) 1746 Qwerto prolonge I the tyme? sythyn yt must nedys be That I schal dye.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 24070 I..synge alway ‘cras, cras’..and prolonge forth my dayes forto Resorten hom ageyn.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 667/2 He dothe naught els but prolonge the tyme, il ne fait aultre chose que alonger, or prolonguer le temps.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 16 Set to the vttermost of your might, that we prolong no time.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 291/27 And so the tyme was prolongit quhill that same nicht the haill papistis beand convenit rais to [20,000].
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World viii. 220 The Spaniards..capitulated day after day to prolong time.
1724 tr. H. van Deventer New Improvem. Art Midwifery iii. 39 She ought not to sit down quietly, and prolong the time, but be vigilant, and go to work, immediately.
1793 J. Thomson Major Piper V. lxiii. 190 'Tis half past eleven—they will be here in a few minutes—lovers seldom prolong the time.
a. transitive. To delay, postpone, put off (an action or event). Also with infinitive as object. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]
forslowc888
eldc897
forsita940
gele971
lengOE
drilla1300
delayc1300
onfrestc1300
tarryc1320
jornc1330
dretchc1380
defer1382
forbida1387
to put offa1387
to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393
dilate1399
fordrawa1400
to put overc1410
latch?c1422
adjournc1425
prolongc1425
proloynec1425
rejournc1425
to put in respite1428
sleuthc1430
respitea1450
prorogue1453
refer1466
sleep1470
supersede1482
respectc1487
postpone1496
overseta1500
respett1500
enjourna1513
relong1523
retract1524
tarde1524
track1524
to fode forth1525
tract1527
protract1528
further1529
to make stay of1530
surcease1530
prorogate1534
to fay upon longc1540
linger1543
retard?1543
slake1544
procrastine1548
reprieve1548
remit1550
suspense1556
leave1559
shiftc1562
suspend1566
procrastinate1569
dally1574
post1577
to hold off1580
drift1584
loiter1589
postpose1598
to take one's (own) timea1602
flag1602
slug1605
elong1610
belay1613
demur1613
tardya1616
to hang up1623
frist1637
disjourn1642
future1642
off1642
waive1653
superannuate1655
perendinate1656
stave1664
detard1675
remora1686
to put back1718
withhold1726
protract1737
to keep over1847
to hold over1853
laten1860
to lay over1885
hold1891
back-burner1975
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 1442 Lawly besechyng þat ȝe nat prolonge My purpos.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 67 (MED) Lorde..prolonge not [L. noli..prolongare] þi visitacion.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Fourth Bk. Aeneas (1554) iv. sig. Cii But whereto nowe should I prolong my death?
1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xvi. f. c Wee saye with the wicked seruaunt, my Lord prolongeth his commynge.
1623 W. Lisle Serm. Easter Day in Ælfric's Saxon Treat. 14 Prolong not to turne unto God, lest the time passe away through thy slow tarrying.
1681 P. Rycaut tr. B. Gracián y Morales Critick 218 Much displeased to hear of his departure,..she..advised him to prolong it, until a time of better conveniency.
1767 J. H. Norton Let. Oct. in John Norton & Sons (1968) 33 You'l excuse me if I prolong writing till either Hubbard or Peterson sail.
1785 J. Phillips Treat. Inland Navigation 44 The difference of expence..cannot now be an object considerable enough to prolong so noble and useful an undertaking.
b. transitive. To detain, keep (a person) waiting. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > a person
tarry1340
deferc1384
delaya1425
prolongc1425
supersede1517
postpone1518
linger1534
belate1642
while off1646
remit1663
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 3126 (MED) Iason..to-fore þe kyng in cam..Þe kyng requeryng no lenger hym prolonge.
1552 T. Gresham in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) II. ii. App. C 146 That they [sc. the Council] would have them [sc. the king's creditors] prolonged for another year.
1625 in J. D. Marwick Rec. Convent. Royal Burghs Scotl. (1878) III. 201 Quhairby the said skipper may be prolonged in his voyage.
1662 G. Torriano New Fabrick Ital. Dialogues 113 in Piazza Universale (1666) I will not hasten you, but do not prolong me too much neither.
c. transitive. To prorogue (parliament). See prorogue v. 3a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > a meeting
adjourna1325
jornc1330
prolongc1450
prorogue1455
prorogate1639
society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [verb (transitive)] > prorogue
prolongc1450
prorogate1639
prorogue1642
c1450 C. L. Kingsford Hist. Coll. 15th Cent. in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1914) 29 514 (MED) The parlement..was prolonged into the xxijth day of Janeuer folowing.
c1475 Gregory's Chron. in J. Gairdner Hist. Coll. Citizen London (1876) 189 (MED) The Parlyment was prolongyd tylle aftyr Syn Hyllary ys day.
c1613 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 48 On the satterday after our Lady day, the Parlament was prolonged unto the xxvii day of January, & then it begineth againe.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης i. 4 Hee..never promoted the true end of Parlaments..but still put them off, and prolong'd them.
1692 in Coll. Parl. Deb. Eng. (1741) II. 357 This Act may, by its consequence, prolong this Parliament; which they allow would be a very great grievance.
d. transitive. To postpone payment of (a debt). Also intransitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > appoint term for payment > postpone payment
frist14..
prolong1552
1552 T. Gresham in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) II. ii. App. C 148 He is content to prolong the 10000.l. due to the 20th of November for six month.
1566 R. Clough Let. 21 Aug. in J. W. Burgon Life & Times Sir T. Gresham (1839) II. 141 You do bryng over newe bondes for prolongation of the dett; and here do I fynde no man wylling to prolong, unless yt be one or two.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)]
geleOE
studegieOE
abideOE
to do in or a (= on) fristc1175
dwellc1175
demurc1230
targec1250
dretcha1325
tarrya1375
sojourn1377
defer1382
letc1385
hinderc1386
blina1400
delay?a1400
honea1400
litea1400
overbidea1400
prolongc1425
supersede1433
hoverc1440
tarrowc1480
sunyie1488
stay?a1500
sleep1519
slack1530
protract1540
linger1548
procrastinate1548
slackc1560
slug1565
jauk1568
temporize1579
detract1584
longering1587
sit1591
prorogue1593
to time it out1613
to lie out1640
crastinate1656
taigle17..
to hang fire1782
to hold off1790
to hang it on1819
prevaricate1854
to lie over1856
to tread water1942
to drag one's feet1946
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 943 Of swyche straungeris gretly is to drede, Ȝiffe men be..necligent..to wit what is her entent, but furthe prolong.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Order of Fools (Laud) in Minor Poems (1934) ii. 452 (MED) He..doth prolonge and tarye, With fair hestis.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. i. f. 2 He..appeased theyr furie, and prolonged day after day.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales vi. x. 137 Perceiuing that they prolonged from one day to another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be far from [verb (transitive)] > put at or remove to a distance
farOE
fersec1000
far-casta1340
removec1384
proloynec1425
prolong1440
purloin1461
elong1477
enstrange1483
eloin1535
elongatec1540
distance1578
discoast1583
eloinate1642
outpost1864
distantiate1924
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > to a distance
fersec1000
remuec1300
aloyna1325
proloynec1425
prolong1440
purloin1461
along1502
the world > space > place > absence > absent oneself [verb (reflexive)]
absenta1450
prolong1591
decline1641
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 417 Purlongyn, or prolongyn, or put fer a-wey, prolongo, alieno.
1591 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 452 From his servyce nether by day nor by nyght shall absent or prolong himself.
5. transitive. To lengthen the pronunciation of (a word or syllable); to draw out (a sound).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [verb (transitive)] > lengthen or shorten
prolongc1560
shorten1589
trail1604
lengthen1667
abbreviate1668
c1560 in Anglia 13 464 In ye latter ende of ye syllable to prolong the sounde.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xii. 91 Rules of shortning and prolonging a sillable.
1658 J. Playford Breif Introd. Skill Musick (new ed.) i. 23 This Prick of Addition is placed on the right side of the Note,..for the prolonging the sound of that Note it follows to half as much more.
1768 T. Gray Fatal Sisters in Poems 84 Far and wide the notes prolong.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 25 ‘Father!’ she cried; the rocks around Loved to prolong the gentle sound.
1887 G. H. C. Haigh in Zoologist 11 293 The cry of Daubenton's Bat is very weak and shrill, sometimes prolonged into a sort of chatter.
1933 G. O'Brien & M. O'Brien tr. L. Vallas Claude Debussy ix. 157 A transparent tone..can be achieved by attacking them boldly, but not harshly, then letting go the keys and allowing the pedal to prolong the sound.
1986 M. Salzman Iron & Silk 77 She would..greet me in Mandarin—‘Ni hao!’—prolonging each syllable for several seconds.
6. † b. intransitive. To lengthen out, extend. Obsolete. rare.† c. transitive. To extend in scope or range. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To extend in spatial length; to make longer, draw out.Used chiefly with reference to lines.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [verb (transitive)] > lengthen
elongc1420
protend?a1475
lengthen1555
extend1569
produce1570
prolong1574
elongate1578
carry1587
run1630
continue1667
to run outa1670
prolongate1671
1574 J. Baret Aluearie P 688 To Prolong, to drawe in length: to stretch out.
a1652 S. Foster Elliptical Horologiography (1654) 88 Set the same extent from A to R upon the Index (prolonging the Index if need be by a threed till it come to be of a competent length).
1672 Philos. Trans. 1671 (Royal Soc.) 6 3065 Asymptotick spaces..comprised between two lines, which being infinitely prolonged do never meet.
1708 tr. J. Ozanam Recreations Math. & Physical 86 If you would divide the given Line AB, into four equal parts, for Instance; prolong the same Line, and run out upon it the four equal parts AB, BC, CD, DE.
1789 P. Robinson Cometilla vi. 87 Draw a line from the Lyre upon the Dolphin, prolong it to the south.
1812 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 102 304 Prolong the sides of the polygon.
1849 C. Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. (1850) II. 258 We know not how much farther north or south the motion [sc. the rise of the land] may be prolonged under water.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 77 Up to which the fault..had prolonged itself as a crevasse.
1906 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1905 258 If..we determine these lines of symmetry for several points of the sky and prolong them, they must all intersect in two points.
1990 P. Moore Exploring Night Sky (BNC) 103 Grus is much the most impressive of the four Southern Birds. It lies south of Fomalhaut; one way to find it is to prolong a line from Beta and Alpha Pegasi..through Fomalhaut.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > extend longitudinally [verb (intransitive)] > become longer
lengthen1695
prolong1816
1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III cix. 59 This page, which from my reveries I feed, Until it seems prolonging without end.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > immateriality > immaterial [verb (transitive)] > extend to (of immaterial things)
reacha1625
run1643
to run out1727
prolong1880
1880 Nature 1 Jan. 197/2 To authorise the work of the [Geological] Survey to be prolonged into States adjoining the Territories.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1488
v.c1425