HANG Hang, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hanged (hngd) or Hung (; p. pr. & vb. n. Hanging. The use of hanged is preferable to that of hung, when reference is had to death or execution by suspension, and it is also more common.] Etym: [OE. hangen, hangien, v. t. & i., AS. hangian, v. i., fr. h, v. t. (imp. heng, p. p. hongen); akin to OS. hang, v. i. D. hangen, v. t. & i., G. hangen, v. i, hängen, v. t, Isel hanga, v. i., Goth. hahan, v. t. (imp. haíhah), hahan, v. i. (imp. hahaida), and perh. to L. cunctari to delay. sq. root37. ]
1. To suspend; to fasten to some elevated point without support from below; — often used with up or out; as, to hang a coat on a hook; to hang up a sign; to hang out a banner.
2. To fasten in a manner which will allow of free motion upon the point or points of suspension; — said of a pendulum, a swing, a door, gate, etc.
3. To fit properly, as at a proper angle (a part of an implement that is swung in using), as a scythe to its snath, or an ax to its helve. [U. S.]
4. To put to death by suspending by the neck; — a form of capital punishment; as, to hang a murderer.
5. To cover, decorate, or furnish by hanging pictures trophies, drapery, and the like, or by covering with paper hangings; — said of a wall, a room, etc. Hung be the heavens with black. Shak. And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils. Dryden.
6. To paste, as paper hangings, on the walls of a room.
7. To hold or bear in a suspended or inclined manner or position instead of erect; to droop; as, he hung his head in shame. Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. Milton. To hang down, to let fall below the proper position; to bend down; to decline; as, to hang down the head, or, elliptically, to hang the head. — To hang fire (Mil.), to be slow in communicating fire through the vent to the charge; as, the gun hangs fire; hence, to hesitate, to hold back as if in suspense.
HANG
Hang, v. i.
1. To be suspended or fastened to some elevated point without support from below; to dangle; to float; to rest; to remain; to stay.