elongate

[ ih-lawng-geyt, ih-long-, ee-lawng-geyt, ee-long- ]

verb (used with object)

, e·lon·gat·ed, e·lon·gat·ing.

1. to draw out to greater length; lengthen; extend.

verb (used without object)

, e·lon·gat·ed, e·lon·gat·ing.

1. to increase in length.

adjective

1. extended; lengthened.
2. long and thin.

elongate

/ ˈiːlɒŋɡeɪt /

verb

1. to make or become longer; stretch

adjective

1. long and narrow; slender

   elongate leaves

2. lengthened or tapered

Other Words From

• e·lon·ga·tive [ee, -lawng-gey-tiv, ee, -long-], adjective
• sube·longate adjective
• sube·longat·ed adjective
• une·longat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elongate¹

1530–40; < Late Latin ēlongātus lengthened out, past participle of ēlongāre to make longer, make distant, remove, equivalent to Latin ē- e- ¹ + -longāre, derivative of longus long ¹, longē far off

Word History and Origins

Origin of elongate¹

C16: from Late Latin ēlongāre to keep at a distance, from ē- away + Latin longē (adv) far, but also later: to lengthen, as if from ē- + Latin longus (adj) long

Example Sentences

This allowed them to identify a signal emitted by the maternal tissue that attracts pollen tubes by leading them to elongate along the stamen tissue and reach the site of fertilization.

From Science Daily

But shape-shifting robots, which are controlled by magnetic fields, can dynamically squish, bend, or elongate their entire bodies.

From Science Daily

In one, the robot must elongate and curve its body so it can weave around obstacles to reach a target point.

From Science Daily

The MPI scientists analyzed not just one, but three distinct formins originating from fungi, mice, and humans, which all elongate actin filaments at highly different speeds.

From Science Daily

These liquid chambers alternately bulge and elongate, creating a visible and slow wavelike ripple along a worm’s body, scooting it forward.

From Slate

Related Words

• draw out
• lengthen