Hang /(hăng)/

Hang

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Hanged; p. pr. & vb. n. Hanging

  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.
    And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils.
  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.
  8. 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.

Phrases & Compounds
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
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.

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.

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.]
  4. To hold for support; to depend; to cling; -- usually with on or upon; as, this question hangs on a single point.
  5. To be, or be like, a suspended weight.
    Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden.
  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.
    His neck obliquely o'er his shoulder hung.
  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.
  10. Of a ball: To rebound unexpectedly or unusually slowly, due to backward spin on the ball or imperfections of ground. (Cricket, Tennis, etc.)
  11. to fail to curve, break, or drop as intended; -- said of pitches, such as curve balls or sliders. (Baseball)
  12. to cease to operate normally and remain suspended in some state without performing useful work; -- said of computer programs, computers, or individual processes within a program; as, when using Windows 3.1, my system would hang and need rebooting several times a day. (Computers)

Phrases & Compounds
To hang around
to loiter idly about.
To hang back
to hesitate; to falter; to be reluctant.
To hang by the eyelids
To hang by a very slight hold or tenure.
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
to be charmed by eloquence.
To hang out
To be hung out so as to be displayed; to project.
To hang over
To project at the top.
To hang to
to cling.
To hang together
To remain united; to stand by one another.
To hang upon
To regard with passionate affection.

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.]

Phrases & Compounds
To get the hang of
to learn the method or arrangement of; hence, to become accustomed to.