I. ˈhaŋ verb
( hung ˈhəŋ ; also hanged ˈhaŋd ; hang·ing ˈhaŋ-iŋ)
Etymology: partly from Middle English hon, from Old English hōn, verbt.; partly from Middle English hangen, from Old English hangian, verbi. & verbt.; both akin to Old High German hāhan, verbt., to hang, hangēn, verbi. — more at cunctation
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to fasten to some elevated point without support from below : suspend
b. : to suspend by the neck until dead — often hanged in the past; often used as a mild oath
I'll be hang ed
c. : to fasten so as to allow free motion within given limits upon a point of suspension
hang a door
d. : to adjust the hem of (a skirt) so as to hang evenly and at a proper height
2. : to furnish with hanging decorations (as flags or bunting)
3. : to hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner
hung his head in shame
4. : to apply to a wall
hang wallpaper
5. : to display (pictures) in a gallery
6. : to throw (as a curveball) so that it fails to break properly
7. : to make (a turn) especially while driving
hang a right
hung a quick U-turn — Tom Clancy
8. : base , found
something to hang our hopes on
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to remain suspended or fastened to some point above without support from below : dangle
b. : to die by hanging — often hanged in the past
he hang ed for his crimes
c. : to be connected as something relevant or related
thereby hang s a tale — Shakespeare
2. : to remain poised or stationary in the air
clouds hang ing low overhead
3. : linger , persist
4. : to be imminent : impend
doom hung over the nation
5. : to fall or droop from a usually tense or taut position
6. : depend
election hang s on one vote
7.
a.
(1) : to take hold for support : cling
she hung on his arm
(2) : to keep persistent contact
dogs hung to the trail
(3) : to maintain or continue holding a position
hang behind
(4) : to stay even : keep up — usually used with with
trying to hang with the leader
b. : to be burdensome or oppressive
time hang s on his hands
8. : to be uncertain or in suspense
the decision is still hang ing
9. : to lean, incline, or jut over or downward
10. : to be in a state of rapt attention
hung on her every word
11. : to fit or fall from the figure in easy lines
the coat hang s loosely
12. : to pass time idly or in relaxing or socializing
hang ing at the beach
— often used with around or out
hung out with friends
13. of a thrown ball : to fail to break or drop as intended
• hang·able ˈhaŋ-ə-bəl adjective
•
- hang fire
- hang it up
- hang loose
- hang one on
- hang out to dry
- hang one's hat
- hang ten
- hang tough
Usage:
For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard. Hanged is most appropriate for official executions
he was to be hanged, cut down whilst still alive…and his bowels torn out — Louis Allen
but hung is also used
gave orders that she should be hung — Peter Quennell
Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings
by morning I'll be hung in effigy — Ronald Reagan
II. noun
Date: circa 1797
1. : the manner in which a thing hangs
2. : declivity , slope ; also : droop
3. : facility with or an understanding of something
can't get the hang of this
4. : a hesitation or slackening in motion or in a course
•
- give a hang