whole-length

A whole-length portrait of the queen hangs in the grand hall.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Full-body representation: "whole-length" describes a portrait, photograph, or statue that depicts the entire human body from head to foot, as opposed to a half-length or bust-length representation.

2. Noun (rare):

   • A full-body portrait or statue: "whole-length" can also function as a noun meaning a portrait or sculpture showing the entire figure.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The museum displayed a whole-length portrait of the queen in her coronation robes. (A painting showing the queen's entire body.)
  • For his graduation, he commissioned a whole-length photograph of himself in uniform. (A full-body photo.)

• Noun:

  • The gallery's collection includes several whole-lengths by the famous painter. (Full-body portraits.)

Advanced Usage

• "Whole-length mirror": a mirror tall enough to reflect the entire body.

  • She checked her outfit in the whole-length mirror before leaving. (A mirror showing her full figure.)

• "Whole-length statue": a statue depicting a person from head to toe.

  • The park features a whole-length statue of the founding father. (A full-body sculpture.)

Variants and Related Words

• Half-length (adj): showing only the upper half of the body.

  • The half-length portrait focused on the subject's face and shoulders.

• Bust-length (adj): showing only the head and shoulders.

  • Bust-length photographs are common for official identification cards.

Synonyms

• Full-length: the most common synonym, meaning covering the entire body.

  • She wore a full-length gown to the ball. (A dress reaching the floor.)

• Entire-figure: describing a representation of the whole body.

  • The artist painted an entire-figure study of the dancer.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms exist for "whole-length," but it appears in technical or artistic contexts.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs are associated with "whole-length."