prolong

Verb

Synonyms: protract extend draw out sustain keep up

WordNet 3.0

Verb (2)

lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer“We prolonged our stay”“She extended her visit by another day”“The meeting was drawn out until midnight”Synonyms: protract extend draw out
lengthen or extend in duration or space“We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible”“prolong the treatment of the patient”“keep up the good work”Synonyms: sustain keep up

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Prolong \Pro*long"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prolonged; p. pr. & vb. n. Prolonging.] [F. prolonger, L. prolongare; pro before, forth + longus long. See Long, a., and cf. Prolongate, Purloin. ] [1913 Webster]

1.To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line. [1913 Webster]

2.To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days. [1913 Webster]

Prolong awhile the traitor's life.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The unhappy queen with talk prolonged the night.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.To put off to a distant time; to postpone. --Shak. [1913 Webster]