Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Hang?

\Hang\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hanged} (h?ngd) or {Hung}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hanging}. Usage: The use of hanged is preferable to that of hung, when reference is had to death or execution by suspension, and it is also more common.] [OE. hangen, hangien, v. t. & i., AS. hangian, v. i., fr. h?n, v. t. (imp. heng, p. p. hongen); akin to OS. hang?n, v. i. D. hangen, v. t. & i., G. hangen, v. i, h["a]ngen, v. t, Isel hanga, v. i., Goth. h[=a]han, v. t. (imp. ha['i]hah), h[=a]han, v. i. (imp. hahaida), and perh. to L. cunctari to delay. [root]37. ] 1. To suspend; to fasten to some elevated point without support from below; -- often used with up or out; as, to hang a coat on a hook; to hang up a sign; to hang out a banner. 2. To fasten in a manner which will allow of free motion upon the point or points of suspension; -- said of a pendulum, a swing, a door, gate, etc. 3. To fit properly, as at a proper angle (a part of an implement that is swung in using), as a scythe to its snath, or an ax to its helve. [U. S.] 4. To put to death by suspending by the neck; -- a form of capital punishment; as, to hang a murderer. 5. To cover, decorate, or furnish by hanging pictures trophies, drapery, and the like, or by covering with paper hangings; -- said of a wall, a room, etc. Hung be the heavens with black. --Shak. And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils. --Dryden. 6. To paste, as paper hangings, on the walls of a room. 7. To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect; to droop; as, he hung his head in shame. Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. --Milton. {To hang down}, to let fall below the proper position; to bend down; to decline; as, to hang down the head, or, elliptically, to hang the head. {To hang fire} (Mil.), to be slow in communicating fire through the vent to the charge; as, the gun hangs fire; hence, to hesitate, to hold back as if in suspense.
\Hang\, v. i. 1. To be suspended or fastened to some elevated point without support from below; to dangle; to float; to rest; to remain; to stay. 2. To be fastened in such a manner as to allow of free motion on the point or points of suspension. 3. To die or be put to death by suspension from the neck. [R.] ``Sir Balaam hangs.'' --Pope. 4. To hold for support; to depend; to cling; -- usually with on or upon; as, this question hangs on a single point. ``Two infants hanging on her neck.'' --Peacham. 5. To be, or be like, a suspended weight. Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden. --Addison. 6. To hover; to impend; to appear threateningly; -- usually with over; as, evils hang over the country. 7. To lean or incline; to incline downward. To decide which way hung the victory. --Milton. His neck obliquely o'er his shoulder hung. --Pope. 8. To slope down; as, hanging grounds. 9. To be undetermined or uncertain; to be in suspense; to linger; to be delayed. A noble stroke he lifted high, Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell On the proud crest of Satan. --Milton. {To hang around}, to loiter idly about. {To hang back}, to hesitate; to falter; to be reluctant. ``If any one among you hangs back.'' --Jowett (Thucyd.). {To hang by the eyelids}. (a) To hang by a very slight hold or tenure. (b) To be in an unfinished condition; to be left incomplete. {To hang in doubt}, to be in suspense. {To hang on} (with the emphasis on the preposition), to keep hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a disease. {To hang on the} {lips, words}, etc., to be charmed by eloquence. {To hang out}. (a) To be hung out so as to be displayed; to project. (b) To be unyielding; as, the juryman hangs out against an agreement. [Colloq.] {To hang over}. (a) To project at the top. (b) To impend over. {To hang to}, to cling. {To hang together}. (a) To remain united; to stand by one another. ``We are all of a piece; we hang together.'' --Dryden. (b) To be self-consistent; as, the story does not hang together. [Colloq.] {To hang upon}. (a) To regard with passionate affection. (b) (Mil.) To hover around; as, to hang upon the flanks of a retreating enemy.
\Hang\, n. 1. The manner in which one part or thing hangs upon, or is connected with, another; as, the hang of a scythe. 2. Connection; arrangement; plan; as, the hang of a discourse. [Colloq.] 3. A sharp or steep declivity or slope. [Colloq.] {To get the hang of}, to learn the method or arrangement of; hence, to become accustomed to. [Colloq.]
\Hang\, v. i. (Cricket, Tennis, etc.) Of a ball: To rebound unexpectedly or unusually slowly, due to backward spin on the ball or imperfections of ground.
\Hang\, v. t. To prevent from reaching a decision, esp. by refusing to join in a verdict that must be unanimous; as, one obstinate juror can hang a jury.