Length (l&ebreve;ngth), n. [OE.
lengthe, AS. lengð, fr. lang, long,
long; akin to D. lengte, Dan. længde, Sw.
längd, Icel. lengd. See Long,
a. ] 1. The longest, or
longer, dimension of any object, in distinction from breadth
or width; extent of anything from end to end; the longest line
which can be drawn through a body, parallel to its sides; as, the
length of a church, or of a ship; the length of a rope
or line.
2. A portion of space or of time considered
as measured by its length; -- often in the plural.
Large lengths of seas and shores.
Shak.
The future but a length behind the
past.
Dryden.
3. The quality or state of being long, in
space or time; extent; duration; as, some sea birds are remarkable
for the length of their wings; he was tired by the
length of the sermon, and the length of his
walk.
4. A single piece or subdivision of a series,
or of a number of long pieces which may be connected together; as, a
length of pipe; a length of fence.
5. Detail or amplification; unfolding;
continuance as, to pursue a subject to a great
length.
May Heaven, great monarch, still augment your
bliss
With length of days, and every day like this.
Dryden.
6. Distance.[Obs.]
He had marched to the length of
Exeter.
Clarendon.
At length. (a) At or in the
full extent; without abbreviation; as, let the name be inserted at
length. (b) At the end or conclusion;
after a long period. See Syn. of At last, under
Last. -- At arm's length. See under
Arm.
Length, v. t. To lengthen.
[Obs.] Shak.
