The term 'VERY LONG STRETCH' can be broken down into three crossword solutions: EON (3 letters), AEON (4 letters), and AGES (4 letters). EON is a noun that refers to an indefinitely long period of time, while AEON is a variant spelling of the same word. AGES is a noun that refers to a very long period of time, usually measured in centuries or millennia. All three words are used to describe a period of time that is much longer than a human lifespan.