Longer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
longer
[หlษหลษกษr ]
Definitions
physical length
The term 'longer' is a comparative adjective derived from the base word 'long'. It is used to describe something that has a greater length in comparison to another object. This can pertain to physical dimensions, duration of time, or extent of distance. The use of 'longer' is prevalent in everyday language, especially when making comparisons. It helps to express incremental differences in size or duration.
Synonyms
extended, lengthier, prolonged.
Examples of usage
- This road is longer than that one.
- I need a longer time to finish my project.
- The movie was longer than we expected.
in time
As an adverb, 'longer' can also be used to indicate a greater duration of time than something else. It serves to enhance the verb, suggesting that an action will take more time or be sustained for a greater period. This usage often appears in contexts involving deadlines or the duration of events, allowing for deeper clarity in comparisons.
Synonyms
extendedly, further, more.
Examples of usage
- Stay longer if you can.
- He will speak longer than usual.
- Let's wait longer before making a decision.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Usage
- In many cultures, the concept of something being 'longer' is often associated with patience, such as waiting for longer periods to achieve goals.
- The phrase 'the longer the better' is commonly used to imply that a more extended time can lead to a better result in different contexts, like cooking or learning.
- In literature, the idea of a 'longer' journey often reflects deeper personal growth and challenges faced by characters.
Science
- In physics, 'longer' can describe the wavelength of waves; longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.
- Studies show that humans perceive longer durations as more intense, meaning experiences that last longer can feel more significant.
- In the study of time perception, events that are spaced further apart can be remembered as longer in duration due to perceived emotional weight.
Psychology
- Cognitive psychology suggests that our sense of time can distort; longer tasks often feel more tedious, impacting our motivation.
- Interventions aiming at mindfulness often focus on making our experience of time seem 'longer' by fully engaging in the present.
- The 'lengthening' of time perception during stressful situations can cause seconds to feel like minutes, which is a common phenomenon.
Literature
- Many epic poems, like Homer's 'Iliad', are constructed with longer narratives that explore themes of time and legacy.
- Authors like Leo Tolstoy are famous for their 'longer' novels that provide deep insights into human nature and society.
- 'Longer' verses in poetry often carry a musical quality, allowing for deeper emotional resonance in the reader.
Origin of 'longer'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'long' comes from the Old English term 'lang', which had roots in Germanic languages.
- The comparative form 'longer' is used to describe something with greater length than another object or time period.
- In grammar, 'longer' is an example of an adjective modified in its comparative form, typically adding '-er' to the base word.
The word 'long' originates from the Old English term 'lang', which has Germanic roots and is related to words in several other Germanic languages, such as Dutch 'lang' and German 'lang'. The transformation to 'longer' as a comparative form likely reflected shifts in pronunciation and grammatical structures over centuries. In Middle English, the word evolved with similar words in adjacent languages. The morphological changes have led to the adoption of 'longer' as the common comparative form, denoting enhanced length, which conveys both physical dimensions and abstract durations.