drawn out in a line, or in the direction of length; protracted; extended; as, a long line; -- opposed to short, and distinguished from broad or wide.-drawn out or extended in time; continued through a considerable tine, or to a great length; as, a long series of events; a long debate; a long drama; a long history; a long book.-slow in passing; causing weariness by length or duration; lingering; as, long hours of watching.-occurring or coming after an extended interval; distant in time; far away.-extended to any specified measure; of a specified length; as, a span long; a yard long; a mile long, that is, extended to the measure of a mile, etc.-far-reaching; extensive.-prolonged, or relatively more prolonged, in utterance; -- said of vowels and syllables. see short, a., 13, and guide to pronunciation, // 22, 30.-a note formerly used in music, one half the length of a large, twice that of a breve.-a long sound, syllable, or vowel.-the longest dimension; the greatest extent; -- in the phrase, the long and the short of it, that is, the sum and substance of it.-to a great extent in apace; as, a long drawn out line.-to a great extent in time; during a long time.-at a point of duration far distant, either prior or posterior; as, not long before; not long after; long before the foundation of rome; long after the conquest.-through the whole extent or duration.-through an extent of time, more or less; -- only in question; as, how long will you be gone?-by means of; by the fault of; because of.-to feel a strong or morbid desire or craving; to wish for something with eagerness; -- followed by an infinitive, or by after or for.-to belong; -- used with to, unto, or for.