The spelling of the phrase "were long lived" requires attention to the sound of the "v" in "lived". The IPA phonetic transcription for "lived" is /lɪvd/. The "v" is pronounced as a voiced fricative, similar to the sound in "vase". However, the spelling "lived" uses the letter "v" instead of "f" to represent this sound, which is an irregularity in English spelling. This phrase means that something or someone had a long lifespan.
"were long lived" is a phrase used to indicate that certain individuals, groups, or organisms had a longer than average lifespan or lived for an extended duration. The term is often applied to describe longevity in a specific context.
In the human context, "were long lived" refers to individuals who lived to an advanced age compared to the average life expectancy of their time period or generation. It suggests that these individuals surpassed the typical lifespan by several years or even decades. Factors contributing to long life in humans may include a combination of genetic predisposition, a healthy lifestyle, access to quality healthcare, and environmental factors.
Outside of human context, "were long lived" can also be used to describe the lifespan of animals, plants, or even inanimate objects. For example, in the animal world, it might be used to describe species that have a significantly longer lifespan than others within their taxonomic group. In regards to plants, it might refer to species that have a prolonged life cycle or live much longer than the average plant species. Additionally, the phrase might be employed to describe objects or structures that have withstood the test of time and endured for a considerable period.
Overall, "were long lived" serves as a descriptive term to highlight that certain individuals, groups, or organisms enjoyed a prolonged lifespan or existed for an extended timeframe in comparison to the norm or average.