at length

A

at length (idiom)
/æt lɛŋθ/

The idiom “at length” can have two different meanings: one refers to explaining something thoroughly and in detail, and the other refers to something happening after a long time or delay.

Meanings

• In detail; thoroughly – To explain something fully, covering all important points.
• After a long time; eventually – To indicate that something happened after a long wait or delay.

Synonyms: thoroughly; fully; completely; finally; ultimately; after some time.

Example Sentences

1. He spoke at length about his research at the event.
2. The professor explained the complex theory at length, making sure every student understood every part of it.
3. After hours of negotiation, the two companies reached an agreement at length and signed the contract.
4. At length, the bus finally arrived after hours of waiting in the cold.

Origin and History

The idiom “at length” derives from the Old English word lengðu, which comes from the Proto-Germanic langitho, meaning the quality of being long in space or time. By the late Middle Ages, the phrase evolved in English to express either a thorough, detailed explanation or the occurrence of an event after a long duration. This development reflects the natural extension of “length” as a metaphor for the extent of discourse or the passage of time in events, integrating smoothly into the idiomatic structure of English during the transition from Middle to Early Modern English.

Theories and Beliefs

Scholars generally agree that “at length” emerged through natural linguistic evolution, without contentious or competing theories of origin. Most attribute its development to internal growth of the language rather than external influences such as Latin or French borrowings. The phrase’s dual meanings likely developed in parallel: the sense of exhaustive detail stemming from rhetorical practices in medieval sermons and legal writings, while the temporal sense aligns with narrative conventions in folklore and chronicles. Although some linguists suggest minor influences from contemporaneous European idioms expressing prolongation or elaboration, no major alternative theories are widely accepted.

Historical Development

The idiom’s history traces back to the early 16th century, coinciding with the Renaissance’s emphasis on elaborate prose and storytelling. It began appearing in printed English works and gained prominence in literary and everyday usage over the following centuries. Playwrights like William Shakespeare used it, and it became a common feature in Victorian novels, employed to signify both verbosity and delayed resolution. Its continued presence in modern English highlights its adaptability, serving varied functions in academic, legal, and conversational contexts despite evolving language norms.

Country of First Appearance

The idiom first appeared in England, developing organically within the linguistic and cultural context of Tudor-era English literature and early printing. As a native English expression, its origin is tied to the British Isles, specifically England, where the growth of printed material in the early modern period facilitated its widespread use and standardization.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known printed record of “at length” in its idiomatic sense appears in the prose romance The Lyfe of Roberte the Deuyll, printed by Wynkyn de Worde in London around 1500. This work—a translation and adaptation of the French tale Robert le Diable—includes the phrase in the passage:

“The kyngs hyghnes at length (as tyme alwaye tryeth owte the treuthe) consyderyd that the frere was a knaue.”

Here, “at length” is used to mean “finally,” after a period of consideration. The exact publication date remains approximate due to the printing practices of the era, but this record stands as the earliest known attestation of the idiom’s figurative use in English literature.

Variants

• in detail
• in full
• at last
• finally
• after a while

Time