Pro*long" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prolonged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prolonging.] [F. prolonger, L. prolongare; pro before, forth + longus long. See Long, a., and cf. Prolongate, Purloin. ]

1. To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line.

2. To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days.

Prolong awhile the traitor's life.

The unhappy queen with talk prolonged the night.

3. To put off to a distant time; to postpone. Shak.

• to lengthen temporally
       The government shouldn't prolong deciding on this issue any further.