hang

I. verb (hung; also hanged; hanging) Etymology: partly from Middle English hon, from Old English hōn, verbt.; partly from Middle English hangen, from Old English hangian, verbi. & verbt.; both akin to Old High German hāhan, verbt., to hang, hangēn, verbi. — more at cunctation Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to fasten to some elevated point without support from below ; suspend b. to suspend by the neck until dead — often hanged in the past; often used as a mild oath <

I'll be hanged

> c. to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension <

hang a door

> d. to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height 2. to furnish with hanging decorations (as flags or bunting) 3. to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner <

hung his head in shame

> 4. to apply to a wall <

hang wallpaper

> 5. to display (pictures) in a gallery 6. to throw (as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly 7. to make (a turn) especially while driving <

hang a right

> <

hung a quick U-turn — Tom Clancy

> 8. base, found <

something to hang our hopes on

> intransitive verb 1. a. to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below ; dangle b. to die by hanging — often hanged in the past <

he hanged for his crimes

> c. to be connected as something relevant or related <

thereby hangs a tale — Shakespeare

> 2. to remain poised or stationary in the air <

clouds hanging low overhead

> 3. linger, persist 4. to be imminent ; impend <

doom hung over the nation

> 5. to fall or droop from a usually tense or taut position 6. depend <

election hangs on one vote

> 7. a. (1) to take hold for support ; cling <

she hung on his arm

> (2) to keep persistent contact <

dogs hung to the trail

> (3) to maintain or continue holding a position <

hang behind

> (4) to stay even ; keep up — usually used with with <

trying to hang with the leader

> b. to be burdensome or oppressive <

time hangs on his hands

> 8. to be uncertain or in suspense <

the decision is still hanging

> 9. to lean, incline, or jut over or downward 10. to be in a state of rapt attention <

hung on her every word

> 11. to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines <

the coat hangs loosely

> 12. to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing <

hanging at the beach

> — often used with around or out <

hung out with friends

> 13. of a thrown ball to fail to break or drop as intended • hangable adjective Usage: For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard. Hanged is most appropriate for official executions <

he was to be hanged, cut down whilst still alive…and his bowels torn out — Louis Allen

> but hung is also used <

gave orders that she should be hung — Peter Quennell

>. Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings <

by morning I'll be hung in effigy — Ronald Reagan

>. II. noun Date: circa 1797 1. the manner in which a thing hangs 2. declivity, slope; also droop 3. facility with or an understanding of something <

can't get the hang of this

> 4. a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course