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Added 9 October 2026

prolong

/pɹəʊˈlɒŋ/ verb

In Latin: prōrogō, protraho Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about prolong at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To extend in space or length.
To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of.
Complaining prolongs one’s pain.
To put off to a distant time; to postpone.
The government shouldn't prolong deciding on this issue any further.

Origin

Either a back-formation from prolongation, or from Old French prolonguer or porloignier, from Latin prōlongō, from prō + longō. Doublet of purloin.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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