I.
Etymology: Middle English rungen (past plural & past participle), alteration probably influenced by sungen sung) of ringden (past plural), ringed (past participle), from Old English hringdon (past plural), gehringed (past participle)
past of ring
II. ˈrəŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English rung, rong, from Old English hrung; akin to Middle Low German & Middle High German runge spoke of a wagon, Gothic hrunga staff, and perhaps to Old English hring ring — more at ring
1. archaic Scotland : a heavy stick of wood : a stout staff or cudgel
2.
a. : a spoke of a wheel
b. : one of the radial handles projecting from the rim of a steering wheel
c. : one of the pins or trundles of a lantern pinion
d. : one of the stakes of a cart
3.
a. : a crosspiece between the legs of a chair
b. : one of the crosspieces of a ladder
c. : stair , tread
4. : a stage in an ascent : step , grade , degree
reached the top rung of Hollywood fame — Irish Digest
the son must rise a few rungs on the social scale by studying law — H.W.Van Loon
III. adjective
Etymology: from rung, obsolete past participle of ring (II) , alteration (influenced by rung ) (I) of ringed
: ringed
fallen trunks of rung giants have rotted — I.M.Mudie
sows are rung to prevent rooting
: hooped
piles with rung heads to prevent splitting