elongate
/ˈiːlɒŋɡeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlɔːŋɡeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈlȯŋ-ˌgāt (ˌ)ē-, ˈē-ˌlȯŋ-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈiː.lɒŋ.ɡeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlɑːŋ.ɡeɪt/ (ame, ipa)
elongate — verb
- elongatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- elongateshe / she / it
- elongatedpast simple
- elongating-ing form
1. To make a physical object or body part longer, typically through pulling, stretc
To make a physical object or body part longer, typically through pulling, stretching, heat, or natural growth — the process often causes the object to become narrower at the same time.
The warm summer air causes the metal rails to elongate slightly on hot days.
intransitive: metal + elongate under heat
The yoga instructor told the students to elongate their spines by reaching upward.
transitive: elongate + body part (spine)
As the dough rests on the counter, the gluten strands elongate and become much easier to roll out.
Kofi used a fine brush to elongate the lines at the bottom of the portrait.
After weeks of daily stretching, Noa's hamstring muscles elongated and her lower back pain lessened.
文法句型
elongate + object (transitive)
object + elongate(s) (intransitive)
用法筆記
More formal than the everyday verbs 'stretch' or 'lengthen'. Common in scientific, medical, and artistic writing.
常見錯誤
elongate — adjective
- elongatepositive
- more elongatecomparative
- most elongatesuperlative
1. Describing a shape or object whose length is much greater than its width — long
Describing a shape or object whose length is much greater than its width — long and slender in appearance.
The succulent has thick, elongated leaves that store water during the dry season.
collocation: elongated leaves
Diego sat at an elongated wooden table that could easily seat twelve guests.
The barracuda is a sea fish with an elongated body and a mouth of sharp teeth.
Amara wore an elongated silver pendant that fell almost to her waist.
As the sun went down, the shadows of the trees grew elongated across the field.
用法筆記
Frequently used in biology (leaf shapes, animal bodies), design (furniture, jewellery), and descriptions of light/shadow. The adjective is typically attributive (before a noun).