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

A whole-length picture of the governor was hung up in the working-rooms of the house.

From An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 1 With Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, Etc. of The Native Inhabitants of That Country. to Which Are Added, Some Particulars of New Zealand; Compiled, By Permission, From The Mss. of Lieutenant-Governor King. by Collins, David

At the right and left of the Virgin are St. Peter and St. John, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Dominic, whole-length figures strongly individualized and differentiated.

From Artists Past and Present Random Studies by Cary, Elisabeth Luther

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

The Emperor, wishing to have a whole-length portrait of himself, sent for the painter to place his easel in a room in the palace, and commenced sitting.

From A New Voyage Round the World in the Years 1823, 24, 25, and 26. Vol. 1 by Kotzebue, Otto von

Related Words

• entire
• exhaustive
• full
• outright
• thorough