a.
1. Prolonged to a great or inordinate length. Also long-drawn-out.
[1632. Milton, L’Allegro, 140. In notes, with many a winding bout Of lincked sweetnes long drawn out.]
1646. Crashaw, Delights Muses (1652), 88. Now negligently rash He throws his arm, and with a long-drawn dash Blends all together.
1770. Goldsm., Des. Vill., 317. While the proud their long-drawn pomps display.
1832. Tennyson, Lady of Shalott, iv. 28. A longdrawn carol, mournful, holy.
1842. Manning, Serm. (1848), I. 138. Long-drawn schemes of action.
1851. H. Melville, Whale, x. 54. A long-drawn, gurgling whistle.
1883. Stevenson, Treas. Isl., III. xiv. Far away out in the marsh there arose one horrid, long-drawn scream.
1891. T. R. Lounsbury, Stud. Chaucer, III. viii. 331. The long-drawn-out romances which had been the favorites of the generations preceding his own [sc. Fielding’s].
1897. Sir E. Wood, Achievem. Cavalry, ii. 20. The long-drawn-out battle [Marengo], which lasted over fourteen hours.
2. Having great longitudinal extension. Chiefly poet.
1750. Gray, Elegy, 39. The long-drawn Isle and fretted Vault.
1804. J. Grahame, Sabbath, 69. The long-drawn aisles, At every close, the lingering strain prolong.
1851. Mrs. Browning, Casa Guidi Wind., II. 299. The long-drawn street.
1871. R. Ellis, trans. Catullus, lxiv. 333. Trail ye a long-drawn thread and run with destiny, spindles.
1888. J. Inglis, Tent Life Tigerland, 282. A long-drawn, thin echelon.
