1. U C 长，长度，距离　 measurement or extent from end to end
2. C 一段，一节　 piece of sth

　go (to) all ～s　竭尽全力，全力以赴
　go to the ～ of　走到…的极端
　increase (a) ～　增加长度
　measure (a) ～　测量长度
　measure one's ～　全身跌倒在地
　reach a ～ of　达到…长度
　reduce (a) ～　减少长度
　win by a ～　以…之差获胜
　equal～　相同的长度
　full ～　全长
　half ～　一半长
　standard ～　标准长度
　the same ～　同样长
　the total ～　全长
　true ～　总长
　a boat's ～　一艘船的长度
　radio wave ～s　无线电波长
　along the ～ of the shore　沿着海岸
　at ～　最后，终于，长时间地，详细地，彻底地
　at arm's ～　远远地
　at full ～　极为详细地，全身平直地
　at great ～　非常详细
　at some ～　相当详细（地）
　in ～　长度
　twice the ～ of　（某物的）两倍长
　～ of a stick　手杖的长度
　～ of beach　海滩长
　～ of cloth　一段布料
　～ of service　服务年限
　～ of the exam　试卷篇幅
　～ of wire　一段铁丝

　The standard length is the meter.　标准长度是公尺。
　This room is twice length of the other, but much narrower.　这个房间的长度是那个房间的两倍，但窄得多。
　All these sticks are of uniform length.　所有这些手杖的长度都是统一的。
　The plant grows to a length of three or four metres.　这种植物长到三、四米长。
　Take two pieces of string of different lengths.　拿两条长度不同的带子。
　The horse won by three lengths.　这匹马以领先三个马位而取胜。
　This car will turn in its own length.　这辆汽车能在相当于自身长度的范围内转弯。
　The length of time we were there was two hours.　我们在那儿逗留了两个小时。
　Please note down the length of time it takes you to do this.　请记下你做这件事需花多长时间。
　What is the length of the story?　这个故事有多长?
　I lacked the stamina to run the whole length of the race.　我没有跑完全程的精力。
　We walked the length of the street.　我们走完整整一条街。
　They have increased the length of this boat.　他们把船身加长了。
　The students complained about the length of the exam paper.　学生们抱怨试卷太长。
　Arrangements were well advanced for linking up this newly operated length with the Lancaster by-pass.　已经提前作出安排，使新投入使用的这段高速公路与兰开斯特支线衔接。
　I bought a skirt length of tweed.　我买了一段够做一条裙子的花呢料。
　He tied it with a length of string.　他用一段绳子把它系上了。
　We'll need several lengths of string to tie the package.　我们需要几段绳子来打包。

 ♣ at length
1. 充分地，详尽地 using many words to explain sth;in great detail
　He went into the subject at full length.　他详细地研究了这个问题。
　He has given all the facts at great length so that you may judge for yourself.　他已经详尽地提供了各种细节，以便你自己作出判断。
　Well, we have discussed the matter at length.　这件事我们已经仔细讨论过了。
　She spoke at length about the plight of the refugees.　她详细地讲述了难民们的悲惨境遇。
2. 〈正〉最后，终于 after a long time;at last
　At length he returned.　他最后还是回来了。
　At length, we began to understand what he wanted.　最后，我们总算明白他所要的东西了。
　At length, the bus arrived, forty minutes late.　公共汽车终于到了，晚了40分钟。
 ♣ go to great lengths
　不遗余力，竭尽全力　do one's best
　They went to great lengths to limit press coverage of the trial.　他们将尽全力限制新闻界对这次审判的报道。
　She'll go to great lengths to get promotion.　为了提升，她什么事都干得出来。
 ♣ the length and breadth
　到处，四面八方　every part
　Their protest will be echoed throughout the length and breadth of the land.　他们的抗议将得到全国各地的响应。
　As I traveled the length and breadth of the African continent, I found that jewelry and other adornments vary dramatically, not only through cultural influence, but also through available materials.　我走遍了非洲大陆，发现那里的珠宝和其他装饰品花样繁多，各不相同，这说明它不仅受文化传统的影响，也受到可以得到的材料的限制。

　这部电影的长度为两小时。
　［误］ The lengths of the movie are two hours.
　［正］ The length of the movie is two hours.
　［析］ length作“长度”解时，多用作不可数名词。

　［词源］　古英语lengthu（长度）