long
UK: lɒŋ | US: lɔːŋ
adj. measuring a great distance or time
adj. lasting or taking a great amount of time
vi. to desire earnestly (archaic or formal)
n. a long period or distance
The word "long" traces back to Old English lang, which itself derives from Proto-Germanic langaz. This root is shared across Germanic languages (e.g., German lang, Dutch lang) and ultimately connects to the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root dlonghos-, meaning "extended." The core idea of physical or temporal extension has remained remarkably stable over millennia, though the verb form ("to yearn") emerged later via metaphorical extension of "stretching toward" a desire.
The river is too long to cross on foot.
She waited a long time for the results.
He longed for his homeland after years abroad.
The meeting felt unbearably long.
How long is the flight to Tokyo?