LONG. adj. A relative term, denoting the distance between the extremes of any body, which is extended more in one of its geometrical dimensions than another. Opposed to short.
1. This term may be applied to all inanimate objects, of whatever kind, whose dimensions in one way exceed the other, and when not in an erect posture, whatever be the other circumstances attending them; whether it relates to superficies alone, or to solid bodies; whether these be bounded or open, straight or crooked, flexible or rigid, or in any other circumstances whatever: thus we say, a long or short line, a long or short ridge, street, ditch, rope, chain, staff, &c. But it is to be observed, that although long is in the strict sense only opposed to short; yet as it expresses the extension of matter in one of its geometrical proportions, it is often contrasted by those words which express the other proportions when we mean only to describe the several proportions: as, a table long and broad. And as these several dimensions are expressed by different words, according to the various forms, modifications, and circumstances, in which bodies are found, therefore it is in this sense contrasted by a great diversity of terms: as, a long and broad or wide, narrow or strait, street or lane; a long and thick, or small rope, chain, staff. For the distinctions in these cases, see BROAD, WIDE, &c.
2. Objects necessarily fixed in an erect position can never have this term applied to them; and therefore we cannot say a long, but a high, tower or steeple. And for the same reason, while trees are growing and fixed in an erect position, we cannot apply this term to them; but when they are felled and laid upon the ground, it is quite proper and necessary. Thus, we do not say a long, but a tall or high tree, while it is growing; but we say a long, not a tall log of wood; and in the same manner we say a tall mast, when it is fixed in the ship; but a long mast, while it lies upon the beach. See TALL and HIGH.
3. Those vegetables which are of a tender plant nature,
ture, or so weak as not to be able to retain a fixed position, being considered as of a middle nature between erect and prostrate bodies, admit of either of the terms long, tall, or high; as, a long or tall rush or willow wand, or a long, tall, or high stalk of corn. See HIGH and TALL.
4. The parts of vegetables, when considered as distinct from the whole, even when growing and erect, assume the term long: for we do not say a tall, but a long, shoot of a tree; and a tree with a long stem, in preference to a tree with a high stem.
5. For the same reason, a staff, and pole, even when fixed in a perpendicular direction, assume the word long, in preference to tall or high.
6. With regard to animals, the general rule is applied, without any exceptions: tall, and not long, being employed to denote the height of the human body, when in an erect posture; and long, and not tall, to denote its length when in an incumbent situation. Long, applied to all other animals which do not walk erect, always denotes their greatest length in a horizontal position from head to tail.
7. In a figurative sense, it denotes, with regard to time, any thing at a great distance from us.
8. As also, any thing that takes up much time before it is finished; as, a long discourse, a protracted note in music, &c.