To make something longer or extend it in length.
From Medieval Latin 'elongatus,' combining 'e-' (out) and 'longus' (long). The term entered English in the 15th century, initially used in anatomy and geometry.
Scientists and mathematicians love this word because it's precise—'elongate' tells you exactly that something is being stretched in one direction, which is why you see it constantly in biology textbooks describing cell shapes.
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