To extend the duration of something; to make something last longer than it would naturally or originally intended. Involves deliberate action to stretch out time or duration.
From Latin 'prolongare' (to extend, lengthen), from 'pro-' (forward) and 'longus' (long). Entered English through Old French in the 15th century, maintaining its sense of stretching something forward in time.
When you hit snooze, you're literally pro-longing sleep—pushing it forward in time! The prefix 'pro-' means forward, so prolonging doesn't just make things longer, it pushes them ahead into the future.
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