A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Prolong, v. Also: -lang; Prolond. [Late ME and e.m.E. prolong, -longe (Lydgate), OF prolonguier (13th c. in Littré), var. of F. prolonger (prolongier, 1219 in Godef. Compl.), late L. prōlongāre lengthen, extend.]There is some ambiguity between senses 2 and 3, esp. in the phr. to prolong (the) time.
1. tr. To make (a non-material thing) last longer; to extend the duration of (a lease or right); to carry on, continue.(1) c1420 Ratis R. 829.
As thow can fynd nane for to wyte Na to prolong fellony, The caus of thi malancoly a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1464.
Hir gret dollour na mar prolong wald he 1513 Doug. x viii 77. 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 70.
The potent prince … Mycht nocht prolong that ladyis lyfe ane hour 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 71.
Scho … prolongis hir talk with him mony houris togidder 1607 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 72.
Off lyiff prolong my daitt(2) 1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I 111.
The … counsell … ordanit … thair … commissaris, to set and prolong all … their fischings and takis … now … beand in thair handis 1547 Ib. 255.
That the townis haile takis … be set and prolongat to the takismen thairof for tene yeris
b. To make (a story or account) longer; to lengthen or extend in scope. —a1538 Abell 1 b.
Gife he desiris the storye maire prolongit he may haif recours to othir cornyculis
2. To protract or draw out (time); to make pass ‘more slowly’; to ‘waste’ time.a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1628.
He thocht it tyme to schaw his maiestie … Thairfor the tyme he wald prolong no more 1513 Doug. i xi 110.
Dido … set all hir mycht With sermondis seir forto prolong the nycht 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1380.
Quhilk causit him to prolong the tyme Be gude counsall vnto the morne 1565 Instit. Ct. Sess. 4 a.
Aduocattis and procuratouris that dryuis and prolongis tyme be aft repetitioun of ane thing a1568 Scott xv 34.
Prolong with lasar … Sic tyme that we may boith tak our confort … I plene the nicht is schort a1578 Pitsc. II 291/27.
And so the tyme was prolongit quhill that same nicht the haill papistis beand convenit rais to [20,000]
3. To put off, postpone, delay (an event). Also absol. (or ? intr.).Also, once, to delay (a person).(1) 1491 Acta Conc. I 205/2.
The kingis hienes … prolongis the execucioune of the horne in the meyntimme 1513 Doug. xii vii 31.
Fortill prolong, perfay, Hys faderis fatis 1531 Bell. Boece I 23.
He desirit … to prolong the battal; that, be lang tary and penurite of vittallis, his ennimes micht be wery(2) 1625 Conv. Burghs III 201.
Quhairby the said skipper may be prolonged in his voyage
b. intr. To postpone action; to tarry. —c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1308.
I sall prolong sax score of ȝeris … Or I fulfyll my iust sentence
4. tr. Only Sc.: To adjourn a hearing, or a court of law, until a later date; to ‘continue’.14.. Burgh Laws c. 59 (B).
Or the iuge prolong the day in defaute of courte [A. Ner the les the iugis … may ferrer prolong it] 1508 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 333.
Giffand … my full pouar … curtis to continew and prolang gif neid beis 1643 Misc. Spald. C. I 27.
I find that my father his compeerance is prolonged to the 25 of this instant
