— hingeless , adj. — hingelike , adj.
/hinj/ , n. , v. , hinged, hinging .
n.
1. a jointed device or flexible piece on which a door, gate, shutter, lid, or other attached part turns, swings, or moves.
2. a natural anatomical joint at which motion occurs around a transverse axis, as that of the knee or a bivalve shell.
3. that on which something is based or depends; pivotal consideration or factor.
4. Also called mount . Philately. a gummed sticker for affixing a stamp to a page of an album, so folded as to form a hinge, allowing the stamp to be raised to reveal the text beneath.
v.i.
5. to be dependent or contingent on, or as if on, a hinge (usually fol. by on or upon ): Everything hinges on his decision.
v.t.
6. to furnish with or attach by a hinge or hinges.
7. to attach as if by a hinge.
8. to make or consider as dependent upon; predicate: He hinged his action on future sales.
[ 1250-1300; ME henge; c. LG heng ( e ), MD henge hinge; akin to HANG ]
Syn. 5. rest, swing, pivot, depend.