length

Everyday

1. Length is how long something is from one end to the other. tree →
2. Length is how long something lasts in time: the length of the film. tree →
3. A length is the distance from one end of a swimming pool to the other. tree →
4. A length of something is a piece of it: a length of rope. tree →
5. «At length» means for a long time, or at last. tree →

In the lessons

In maths it is a measure of size in cm, m or km; one side of a rectangle, added, compared or multiplied by the width. Length × width gives the area; 2 × (length + width) gives the perimeter. In science we measure length with a ruler, a tape measure or a metre stick. In everyday life: the length of a film, a swim of ten lengths, «go to great lengths» (try very hard).

Examples

• The length of the room is 6 m. tree →
• Find the length of the ribbon left. tree →
• The pool is 25 m in length. tree →
• Length × width gives the area. tree →
• Measure the length of your pencil with a ruler. tree →
• She swam ten lengths of the pool. tree →
• The length of the movie is two hours. tree →
• He cut a short length of string for the kite. tree →
• They went to great lengths to find the lost puppy. tree →
• At length his longing was satisfied. tree →

Note

Note the spelling: «length» has a «g» and comes from «long» (like «strength» from «strong»). Countable. The verb is «lengthen» (make longer). Maths trap: the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (length + width), not length × width; check that all lengths are in the same unit before adding.

In Jewish tradition

Length is measured in cubits and spans for the tabernacle, its boards and the ark. The Writings also use it for time, as in "length of days", meaning a long life, and for the measures of Solomon's Temple.

Interpretation. Tradition studies these exact measurements as a pattern for the sanctuary. It reads "length of days" as the reward of wisdom and Torah.

Examples

• Four-square it shall be and double: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. (Torah EXO.28.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. (Torah EXO.36.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each board. (Torah EXO.26.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is wisdom with aged men, and understanding in length of days? — (Writings JOB.12.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• For length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee. (Writings PRO.3.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The length by cubits after the ancient measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. (Writings 2CH.3.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Note the spelling: «length» has a «g» and comes from «long» (like «strength» from «strong»). Countable. The verb is «lengthen» (make longer). Maths trap: the perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (length + width), not length × width; check that all lengths are in the same unit before adding.