/ ˈdæŋgl; NAmE / verb
1.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to hang or swing freely :
Gold charms dangled from her bracelet.
A single light bulb dangled from the ceiling.
He sat on the edge with his legs dangling over the side.
2.
[ vn ] to hold sth so that it hangs or swings freely :
She dangled her car keys nervously as she spoke.
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IDIOMS
- keep / leave sb dangling
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PHRASAL VERBS
- dangle sth before / in front of sb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: symbolic of something loose and pendulous, corresponding to Danish dangle , Swedish dangla , but the origin is unclear.