Lēngth'y, a.

a. [compar. LENGTHIER; superl. LENGTHIEST.] Having length; immoderately long; prolix; not short; not brief;—said chiefly of discourses, writings, and the like; as, a lengthy sermon; a lengthy dissertation; a lengthy detail. “Lengthy periods.” Washington.

For more lengthy and original dissertations, which reading or reflection may give rise to, I shall make a separate collection. Gibbon, 1763.

Murray has sent, or will send, a double copy of the Bride and Giaour: in the last one, some lengthy additions: pray accept them according to old customs. Lord Byron, 1813.

These would be details too lengthy. Jefferson.

☞ This word is said to have been originally an Americanism; but this is very doubtful. It is now used to a considerable extent by English writers, and the citation given above from Gibbon is the earliest known instance of its occurrence.