Hang

Hang, hang, v.t. to hook or fix to some high point: to suspend: to decorate with pictures, &c., as a wall: to put to death by suspending and choking.—v.i. to be hanging, so as to allow of free motion: to lean, or rest for support: to drag: to hover or impend: to be in suspense: to linger:—pr.p. hang′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. hanged or hung.—n. action of hanging, bending down, &c.: a declivity: mode in which anything hangs: a slackening of motion: a hanging mass (Not a hang, not a bit, not in the least).—n. Hangabil′ity.—adj. Hang′able, liable to be hanged: punishable by hanging.—n. Hang′-dog, a low fellow.—adj. like such a fellow, esp. in his sneaking look.—ns. Hang′er, that on which anything is hung: a short sword, curved near the point; Hang′er-on, one who hangs on or sticks to a person or place: an importunate acquaintance: a dependent.—adj. Hang′ing, deserving death by hanging.—n. death by the halter: that which is hung, as drapery, &c.:—used chiefly in pl.—ns. Hang′ing-butt′ress, a buttress not standing solid on a foundation, but hanging or supported on a corbel; Hang′man, a public executioner; Hang′nail (see Agnail).—n.pl. Hang′-nests, a family of finch-like perching birds peculiar to America—often called American orioles, many weaving curious purse-like nests.—Hang back, to hesitate; Hang by a thread, to be in a very precarious position—from the sword of Damocles; Hang, draw, and quarter, to execute by hanging, cutting down while still alive, disembowelling, and cutting the body in pieces for exposure at different places; Hang fire, to be long in exploding or discharging, as a gun: to hesitate; Hang in doubt, to remain in a state of uncertainty; Hang in the balance, to be in doubt or suspense; Hang off, to let go, to hold off; Hang on, to cling to, to regard with admiration: to depend upon: to weigh down or oppress: to be importunate; Hang out (slang), to lodge or reside; Hang over, to project over; Hang together, to keep united; Hang up one's hat, to make one's self completely at home in a house. [A.S. hangian, causal form of hón, pa.t. heng, pa.p. hangen; Dut. and Ger. hangen, Goth. hahan.]