prolong

Everyday

To prolong something means to make it last longer. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and everyday life, people prolong a holiday, a visit or a game; in health, medicines may prolong life. In science, keeping food cold prolongs its freshness. Phrases: «prolong the agony», «prolong life», «prolonged» (long-lasting, as in «prolonged rain»).

Examples

• We prolonged our holiday by two days. tree →
• Keeping milk in the fridge prolongs its life. tree →
• Don't prolong the argument; just say sorry. tree →
• The new medicine helped prolong Grandad's life. tree →
• Extra time prolonged the football match. tree →
• Prolonged rain caused flooding in the valley. tree →
• Stop prolonging the agony and tell us who won! tree →
• He wondered whether it were possible, by living simply and frugally henceforth, to prolong his life as long as he wished. tree →

Note

Regular verb: prolonged, prolonging. Adjective: prolonged (lasting a long time). Formal word; everyday: make longer, drag out, extend. Pronounced pro-LONG.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means to live a long time. "Prolong your days" is a blessing for a long life in the land. In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes it is also said of the righteous, while the wicked will not prolong their days.

Interpretation. Tradition reads long life as a reward for keeping commandments, such as sending away the mother bird (Deuteronomy 22:7) and honoring parents. Proverbs links it to hating greed, and Ecclesiastes to fearing God.

Examples

• thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days. (Torah DEU.22.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• and that ye may prolong your days upon the land, which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Torah DEU.11.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I declare unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish; ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over the Jordan to go in to possess it. (Torah DEU.30.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. (Writings PRO.28.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God. (Writings ECC.8.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: prolonged, prolonging. Adjective: prolonged (lasting a long time). Formal word; everyday: make longer, drag out, extend. Pronounced pro-LONG.