Lengthwise
/ˈlɛŋ(k)θˌwaɪz/noun
Extending or arranged in the direction of the longer dimension.
Did you know?The ending -wise is an old English adverbial suffix meaning “in the manner or direction of,” so lengthwise is not a compound with a hidden dark root, but a precise directional formula built from ordinary English.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
lengþu
“length; the state of being long”
Old English
OE
-wise
“in the manner of; in the direction of”
Middle English
ME
lengthewise
“lengthwise; along the long dimension”
16th Century
English
lengthwise
“in the direction of the length”
Modern English
English
lengthwise
“oriented along the longest dimension”