Length
/lɛŋ(k)θ/noun
The measurement of something from end to end; the extent of something.
Did you know?Length comes from the same ancient root that gave English words like long and linger, all tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European idea meaning “to be long or extended.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dl̥ǵʰós / *longʰ-
“Long, extended”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*langaz
“Long”
Old English
Old English
længþu
“Length, duration”
Middle English
Middle English
lengthe
“Length, extent; sometimes duration”
Modern English
English
length
“The measurement of something from end to end”