Hang (hang), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hanged (hangd) or Hung (hung); p. pr. & vb. n. Hanging. 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, hongien, v. t. & i., AS. hangian, v. i., fr. hOn, v. t. (imp. heng, p. p. hongen); akin to OS. hangOn, v. i., D. hangen, v. t. & i., G. hangen, v. i., hängen, v. t., Icel. hanga, v. i., Goth. hAhan, v. t. (imp. haíhah), hAhan, v. i. (imp. hahaida), and perh. to L. cunctari to delay. √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.
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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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.
© Webster 1913