whole-length

American  

[hohl-lengkth, -length, hohl-lengkth, -length] / ˈhoʊlˈlɛŋkθ, -ˈlɛŋθ, ˈhoʊlˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /

adjective

1. extended to or having its entire length; not shortened or abridged.

   a whole-length report.

2. portraying, reflecting, or accommodating the full length of the human figure.

   a whole-length sofa; a whole-length portrait of the general.

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noun

1. a portrait or statue showing the full length of its subject.

   The painting gallery had a roomful of whole-lengths.

Etymology

Origin of whole-length

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

It was to be a whole-length in water-colours, like Mr. John Knightley’s, and was destined, if she could please herself, to hold a very honourable station over the mantelpiece.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

It is a whole-length figure painted in misty semi-tones, the feeling sentimental, un-Whistlerian, and, as we before remarked, wraith-like and lacking in substance when compared to Hals.

From Promenades of an Impressionist by Huneker, James

About the year 1812 I remember seeing in many of the print-shops a whole-length sketch in water-colours of Walking Stewart in his customary dress and attitude.

From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest

Again, there is a whole-length showing her about to descend some steps to a lawn, her superb shoulders and neck bare, and her hair highly bedecked with feathers.

From Some Old Time Beauties After Portraits by the English Masters, with Embellishment and Comment by Willing, Thomson

The figure, which was whole-length, and of the size of life, was painted; and might be of the fourteenth century.

From A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume Three by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall

Related Words

• entire
• exhaustive
• full
• outright
• thorough