I. ˈhinj noun
Etymology: Middle English heng; akin to Middle Dutch henge hook, Old English hangian to hang
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a jointed or flexible device on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns
b. : a flexible ligamentous joint
c. : a small piece of thin gummed paper used in fastening a postage stamp in an album
2. : a determining factor : turning point
[
hinge 1a
]
II. verb
( hinged ; hing·ing )
Date: 1719
intransitive verb
: to be contingent on a single consideration or point — used with on or upon
the prosecution's case hinge s on the DNA evidence
transitive verb
: to attach by or furnish with hinges