Hang

hang, v.t. to hook or fix to some high point: to suspend: to decorate with pictures, ., as a wall: to put to death by suspending and choking.— v.i. to be hanging, so as to allow of free motion: to lean, or rest for support: to drag: to hover or impend: to be in suspense: to linger:— pr.p. hang′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. hanged or hung.— n. action of hanging, bending down, .: a declivity: mode in which anything hangs: a slackening of motion: a hanging ma ( Not a hang , not a bit, not in the least).— n. Hangabil′ity .— adj. Hang′able , liable to be hanged: punishable by hanging.— n. Hang′-dog , a low fellow.— adj. like such a fellow, esp. in his sneaking look.— ns. Hang′er , that on which anything is hung: a short sword, curved near the point; Hang′er-on , one who hangs on or sticks to a person or place: an importunate acquaintance: a dependent.— adj. Hang′ing , deserving death by hanging.— n. death by the halter: that which is hung, as drapery, .:—used chiefly in pl. — ns. Hang′ing-butt′re , a buttre not standing solid on a foundation, but hanging or supported on a corbel; Hang′man , a public executioner; Hang′nail (see Agnail ).— n.pl. Hang′-nests , a family of finch-like perching birds peculiar to America—often called American orioles , many weaving curious purse-like nests.— Hang back , to hesitate; Hang by a thread , to be in a very precarious position—from the sword of Damocles; Hang, draw, and quarter , to execute by hanging, cutting down while still alive, disembowelling, and cutting the body in pieces for exposure at different places; Hang fire , to be long in exploding or discharging, as a gun: to hesitate; Hang in doubt , to remain in a state of uncertainty; Hang in the balance , to be in doubt or suspense; Hang off , to let go, to hold off; Hang on , to cling to, to regard with admiration: to depend upon: to weigh down or oppre : to be importunate; Hang out ( slang ), to lodge or reside; Hang over , to project over; Hang together , to keep united; Hang up one's hat , to make one's self completely at home in a house. [A.S. hangi an , causal form of hón , pa.t. heng , pa.p. hangen ; Dut. and Ger. hangen , Goth. hah an .]