sometimes from the capital of a country, as from Washington or Paris. The longitude of a place is expressed
either in degrees or in time; as, that of New York is 74° or 4 h. 56 min. west of Greenwich.
3. (Astron.) The distance in degrees, reckoned from the vernal equinox, on the ecliptic, to a circle at
right angles to the ecliptic passing through the heavenly body whose longitude is designated; as, the
longitude of Capella is 79°.
Geocentric longitude (Astron.),
the longitude of a heavenly body as seen from the earth. — Heliocentric
longitude, the longitude of a heavenly body, as seen from the sun's center. — Longitude stars, certain
stars whose position is known, and the data in regard to which are used in observations for finding the
longitude, as by lunar distances.
Longitudinal
(Lon`gi*tu"di*nal) a. [Cf. F. longitudinal.]
1. Of or pertaining to longitude or length; as, longitudinal distance.
2. Extending in length; in the direction of the length; running lengthwise, as distinguished from transverse; as,
the longitudinal diameter of a body. Cheyne.
Longitudinal
(Lon`gi*tu"di*nal), n. A railway sleeper lying parallel with the rail.
Longitudinally
(Lon`gi*tu"di*nal*ly), adv. In the direction of length.
Longlegs
(Long"legs`) n. (Zoöl.) A daddy longlegs.
Long-lived
(Long"-lived`) a. Having a long life; having constitutional peculiarities which make long life
probable; lasting long; as, a long-lived tree; they are a longlived family; long-lived prejudices.
Longly
(Long"ly), adv.
1. With longing desire. [Obs.] Shak.
2. For a long time; hence, wearisomely.
Longmynd rocks
(Long"mynd rocks") (Geol.) The sparingly fossiliferous conglomerates, grits, schists,
and slates of Great Britain, which lie at the base of the Cambrian system; — so called, because typically
developed in the Longmynd Hills, Shropshire.