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 — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

拉長；伸長

使物體變長，常伴隨變細

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.

例句

The warm summer air causes the metal rails to elongate slightly on hot days.

夏季的熱空氣會使金屬軌道在炎熱的日子稍微伸長。

intransitive: metal + elongate under heat

The yoga instructor told the students to elongate their spines by reaching upward.

瑜伽老師告訴學員們透過向上伸展來拉長脊椎。

transitive: elongate + body part (spine)

同義詞
  • lengthen

    more general and less formal; does not imply narrowing

  • stretch

    emphasises pulling or expanding an elastic material

  • extend

    can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts like time; broader usage

反義詞
  • shorten

    to make something shorter in length

  • compress

    to press something into a shorter or smaller space

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

❌I elongated my lunch break by ten minutes.' (using 'elongate' for time)
✅I extended my lunch break by ten minutes.
💡'elongate' is used for physical length, not duration.

elongate — 形容詞