protractedpro‧trac‧ted /prəˈtræktɪd/ adjective 
the expense of a protracted legal battle► see thesaurus at long
WORD ORIGINprotracted
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin past participle of protrahere ‘to draw forward’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After a bloody and protracted struggle, the "Mau-Mau" fighters forced Britain to grant independence.
- There was a protracted silence before Lydia spoke again.
- There was a protracted silence, after which Lydia said quietly, 'I'm to inherit all the money -- you'll get nothing.'
- This marks the first day of what is likely to be a protracted and bitter courtroom battle.
- Above all, he had to speed up the protracted constitutional timetable of his predecessor.
- Firms and institutions which are otherwise financially sound could be hard hit by a protracted run of debt defaults.
- In due course the conspirators were taken to Edinburgh, subjected to protracted torture, and finally beheaded.
- It can help avoid expensive and protracted litigation.
- It was going to be another protracted day; he had to stay alert and miss nothing.
- Otherwise the reign is distinctive for the want of evidence of royal pressure and of protracted vacancies.
- The only other clear winners from a protracted contest would be both firms' lawyers.
- There were protracted delays in their trial until they appeared before a magistrate in Liverpool on February 9 last year.
THESAURUS
continuing for a long time: · The film was very long.· There has been a long period without rain.
continuing for a long time, especially longer than you want or expect: · Drivers face lengthy delays on all roads out of the city.· Police are going through the lengthy process of re-examining all the evidence.· He faces a lengthy prison sentence.
[only before noun] continuing for a long time – used especially about disputes, campaigns, or shows: · He has been involved in a long-running dispute with his neighbour.· The programme is one of the longest-running series on television.· a long-running campaign to prevent the airport from being built
continuing for a long time – used especially about effects or relationships: · Stress can have long-lasting effects.· While at the school, she made many long-lasting friendships.
formal continuing for a long time, especially an unusually long time: · Despite protracted negotiations, they were unable to reach an agreement.· The couple have been involved in a protracted battle for custody of their children.
continuing for a long time, especially longer than expected, or longer in a way that makes a situation worse: · He returned to work after a prolonged absence.· Studies have linked prolonged use of the drug to cancer.· a prolonged period of economic decline
[only before noun] continuing for a long time – used especially about visits, trips, breaks etc that last longer than was planned: · an extended stay in hospital· He took an extended break from work after his father died.· She didn’t like being away from home for extended periods.
[only before noun] strong enough or great enough to continue for a long time: · The negotiations were aimed at achieving a lasting peace.· This affair has done lasting damage to the president’s credibility.· The book left a lasting impression on me.
continuing for a long time – used especially about memories, influences, or feelings of liking someone or something: · One of my most enduring memories is of going on holiday to France with my parents.· the enduring appeal of Conan Doyle’s stories· his enduring love for Ireland
[only before noun] continuing for a very long time and needing a lot of energy, patience, or determination: · It was a marathon session of talks which continued until 3 am.· He arrived after a marathon journey across Europe.
Longman Language Activatorcontinuing for too long a long-drawn-out process continues for a long time, is very tiring, and probably continues for longer than it needs to: · The long-drawn-out campaigns that precede every election in the US have already begun.· This war is too one-sided to be very long-drawn-out. · Netscape faces a long-drawn-out battle with software giant Microsoft.· Building up a successful herd is a long-drawn out process of careful buying and breeding.
a speech or piece of writing that is long-winded is too long and therefore boring or difficult to understand: · Jacques launched into a long-winded explanation that left us just as confused as before.· Her letters do tend to be a bit long-winded.· I'm sick of reading badly-written and long-winded scripts by candidates who should know better.
something unpleasant that is protracted continues for a long time, which makes it worse than usual: · After a bloody and protracted struggle, the "Mau-Mau" fighters forced Britain to grant independence.· This marks the first day of what is likely to be a protracted and bitter courtroom battle.· There was a protracted silence, after which Lydia said quietly, 'I'm to inherit all the money -- you'll get nothing.'
formal continuing for a very long time so that it becomes boring and you become impatient: · The ride back to the city seemed interminable.· What's the reason for all these interminable delays?· She wasn't looking forward to the interminable winter nights, alone in the cabin.· He launched into an interminable monologue about his last therapy session.
to continue for too long and so become boring or annoying: · Despair grew as the war dragged on.· Presidential campaigns seem to drag on forever.· If the stalemate drags on, there could be serious consequences for the town's population. drag on for weeks/years etc: · Lawsuits about titles to land often drag on for years without settlement.· The fighting dragged on for another two years before a settlement was finally reached.drag on into October/2002/next year etc: · Analysts fear the downturn will drag on into next year.drag on until 1945/2.00 a.m. etc: · The meeting dragged on until late afternoon.
to take much longer than seems reasonable: · Getting visas to visit America seemed to take ages.· The problem with letters is that they always get lost or take forever to arrive.· It'll take days to sort this mess out.take somebody ages/years/forever etc: · It took me ages to get all that washing done.· It took Josephine months to finish writing her dissertation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY the expense of a protracted legal battleCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
used to describe something that continues for a long time, especially if it takes longer than usual, necessary, or expected SYN lengthyprotracted negotiations/discussions/debate etc the expense of a protracted legal battle (=very long)· Despite protracted negotiations, the two sides have failed to reach agreement.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· After protracted negotiations in July 1845 twenty cases of drawings were delivered to the Galleries.· Three years of long and protracted negotiations characterized the proposals for an indoor-events arena.· After protracted negotiations, it was agreed that a day a week would be devoted to the task.· This takes time and the heads are not the appropriate forum for protracted negotiations.· The bid follows protracted negotiations between the two groups about a possible merger.
the expense of a protracted legal battle► see thesaurus at long