prolong

[pruh-lawng, -long]

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verb (used with object)

to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer: to prolong one's stay abroad.
to make longer in spatial extent: to prolong a line.

Origin of prolong

1375–1425; late Middle English prolongen < Late Latin prōlongāre to lengthen, equivalent to prō- pro-¹ + long(us) long¹ + -ā- theme vowel + -re infinitive ending

Related formspro·long·a·ble, adjectivepro·long·a·ble·ness, nounpro·long·a·bly, adverbpro·long·er, nounpro·long·ment, nounun·pro·long·a·ble, adjectiveun·pro·longed, adjectivewell-pro·longed, adjective

Synonyms for prolong

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1. See lengthen.

Antonyms for prolong

1. abbreviate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for prolong

perpetuate, lengthen, delay, continue, protract, stall, stretch, increase, hold, pad

Examples from the Web for prolong

Contemporary Examples of prolong

We smile weakly, not wanting to let them down or prolong the conversation.
The Malaysian Air Tragedy Reawakens a Primal Fear
Kelly Williams Brown
July 19, 2014
When he finally became president, Nixon walked away from that war to prolong a futile one half a world away.
100 Years of Right (And Left) Moves
Robert Shrum
March 31, 2014
Drugs are becoming more powerful with prescription painkillers used to enhance effect and prolong a deleterious pleasure.
Heroin: America’s Silent Assassin
Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Robert M. Lober, MD, PhD
February 3, 2014
What the U.S. is doing now can only prolong Syrian and regional agonies.
Face the Assad Reality In Syria
Frank G. Wisner, Leslie H. Gelb
January 26, 2014
In Congress, Radel has been a strong conservative and Tea Party favorite who voted to prolong the government shutdown in October.
Hip-Hop Conservative Rep. Trey Radel Charged With Cocaine Possession
Ben Jacobs
November 20, 2013

Historical Examples of prolong

He will prolong your life and loosen every button on your waistcoat.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
Can they prolong their own possession, or lengthen his days who enjoys them?
Joseph Andrews, Vol. 2
Henry Fielding
Then which of us can prolong our lives by one day or hour or minute?
The Christian
Hall Caine
And then why—why should we prolong a painful interview, Glory?
The Christian
Hall Caine
It is not to treat him as a friend to prolong this interview.
The Historical Nights' Entertainment
Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for prolong

prolong

verb

(tr) to lengthen in duration or space; extend

Derived Formsprolongation (ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən), nounprolonger, nounprolongment, noun

Word Origin for prolong

C15: from Late Latin prōlongāre to extend, from Latin pro- 1 + longus long

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prolong

early 15c., back-formation from prolongation or else from Old French prolonguer, porloignier (13c.), from Late Latin prolongare "to prolong, extend," from Latin pro- "forth" (see pro-) + longus "long" (adj.); see long (adj.). Related: Prolonged; prolonging; prolongable.