3. The longest dimension; the greatest extent; — in the phrase, the long and the short of it, that is, the sum and substance of it. Addison.
LONG
Long, adv. Etym: [AS. lance.]
1. To a great extent in apace; as, a long drawn out line.
2. To a great extent in time; during a long time. They that tarry long at the wine. Prov. xxiii. 30. When the trumpet soundeth long. Ex. xix. 13.
3. At a point of duration far distant, either prior or posterior; as, not long before; not long after; long before the foundation of Rome; long after the Conquest.
4. Through the whole extent or duration. The bird of dawning singeth all night long. Shak.
5. Through an extent of time, more or less; — only in question; as, how long will you be gone
LONG
Long, prep. Etym: [Abbreviated fr. along. See 3d Along.]
Defn: By means of; by the fault of; because of. [Obs.] See Along of, under 3d Along.
LONG
Long, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Longed; p. pr. & vb. n. Longing.] Etym:
[AS. langian to increase, to lengthen, to stretch out the mind after,
to long, to crave, to belong to, fr. lang long. See Long, a.]