Elongation: meaning, definitions and examples

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elongation

 

[ ˌiːlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in science

The act of lengthening or extending something, especially the process of lengthening a muscle or body part.

Synonyms

extension, lengthening, stretching.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
elongation

Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the process of something becoming longer.

  • The elongation of the metal rod was measured during the experiment.
  • A gradual elongation of the days is noticeable as summer approaches.
extension

Used in general contexts to describe the act of extending something, such as time, space, or deadlines.

  • She requested an extension on her assignment deadline.
  • The company announced an extension of the product warranty.
stretching

Used to describe making something physically longer or wider, often by pulling or extending it; it can also refer to physical exercises.

  • He was stretching the rubber band to its limit.
  • She started her morning routine with some light stretching exercises.
lengthening

Used to describe something becoming longer, often in everyday situations or in non-technical contexts.

  • The tailor suggested lengthening the hem of the dress.
  • The lengthening shadows signaled the end of the day.

Examples of usage

  • The elongation of the DNA molecule is a crucial step in the process of replication.
  • Regular stretching exercises can help prevent muscle elongation.
Context #2 | Noun

in astronomy

The angular separation between a planet or other celestial body and the sun.

Synonyms

angular separation, distance, position.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
elongation

Used primarily in technical fields like astronomy or engineering to describe the lengthening or extension of something. In everyday language, it can describe anything that's becoming longer.

  • The elongation of the metal wire was noticeable after heavy use.
  • The planet's elongation provides valuable information for astronomers.
angular separation

Commonly used in subjects like astronomy and physics to describe the angle between two objects as observed from a particular point.

  • The angular separation of the two stars was measured to be 45 degrees.
  • Understanding angular separation is crucial for celestial navigation.
distance

A general term suitable for everyday use to describe the amount of space between two points. It can be used in both technical and non-technical contexts.

  • The distance between the two cities is 300 miles.
  • Social distancing recommendations suggest maintaining a 6-foot distance.
position

Used to describe the location of someone or something in a specific area. It can be applied in everyday language as well as in more technical contexts like mathematics or physics.

  • Her position in the company was recently promoted.
  • The GPS shows the current position of the car.

Examples of usage

  • The elongation of Venus from the sun can vary significantly during its orbit.
  • Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the sun at certain points in its orbit.
Context #3 | Noun

in linguistics

The process of adding extra sounds or syllables to a word, typically for emphasis or poetic effect.

Synonyms

enlargement, extension, prolongation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
elongation

Use when talking about making something longer, often in a physical or geometrical sense.

  • The elongation of the metal rod was noticeable after applying heat
prolongation

Use when talking about extending the duration of something, usually in a temporal sense.

  • The prolongation of the meeting caused inconvenience to many attendees
extension

Use when adding to something to increase its length or time, can also mean to postpone or add time.

  • He requested an extension on his project deadline
enlargement

Use when something is made larger or expanded in size, not just in length but overall dimensions.

  • The enlargement of the photo made it easier to see the details

Examples of usage

  • The elongation of vowels in this dialect is a distinctive feature of the local speech.
  • The poet used elongation to create a rhythmic pattern in the verse.

Translations

Translations of the word "elongation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alongamento

🇮🇳 लंबाई

🇩🇪 Verlängerung

🇮🇩 perpanjangan

🇺🇦 подовження

🇵🇱 wydłużenie

🇯🇵 伸長 (shinchou)

🇫🇷 allongement

🇪🇸 elongación

🇹🇷 uzatma

🇰🇷 연장 (yeonjang)

🇸🇦 إطالة (iṭāla)

🇨🇿 prodloužení

🇸🇰 predĺženie

🇨🇳 延长 (yáncháng)

🇸🇮 podaljšanje

🇮🇸 lenging

🇰🇿 ұзарту

🇬🇪 გახანგრძლივება (gakhangrdzliveba)

🇦🇿 uzanma

🇲🇽 elongación

Etymology

The word 'elongation' originated from the Latin word 'elongatio', which means 'a lengthening'. It has been used in various fields such as science, astronomy, and linguistics to describe the act of extending or lengthening something. The concept of elongation has been studied and applied in different contexts, from muscle elongation in biology to angular separation in astronomy. Throughout history, the term has evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to extension and stretching.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,836, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.