n. & v.
--n.
1. a a movable, usu. metal, joint or mechanism such as that by which a door is hung on a side post. b Biol. a natural joint performing a similar function, e.g. that of a bivalve shell.
2 a central point or principle on which everything depends.
--v.
1. intr. (foll. by on) a depend (on a principle, an event, etc.) (all hinges on his acceptance). b (of a door etc.) hang and turn (on a post etc.).
2 tr. attach with or as if with a hinge.
Phrases and idioms:
stamp-hinge a small piece of gummed transparent paper used for fixing postage stamps in an album etc.
Derivatives:
hinged adj. hingeless adj. hingewise adv.
Etymology: ME heng etc., rel. to HANG