Hang Hang (hăng)
transitive verb [
imperfect & past participle Hanged (hăngd) or
Hung (hŭng);
present participle & verbal noun 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.] [ Middle English
hangen ,
hongien , transitive verb & i., Anglo-Saxon
hangian , intransitive verb , from
hōn , transitive verb (imp.
heng , past participle
hongen ); akin to Old Saxon
hangōn , intransitive verb , Dutch
hangen , transitive verb & i., German
hangen , intransitive verb ,
hängen , transitive verb , Icelandic
hanga , intransitive verb , Goth.
hāhan , transitive verb (imp.
haíhah ),
hāhan , intransitive verb (imp.
hahaida ), and perhaps to Latin
cunctari to delay. √37. ]
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.
Hank Hank (hănk)
noun [ Confer Danish
hank handle, Swedish
hank a band or tie, Icelandic
hanki hasp, clasp,
hönk ,
hangr , hank, coil, skein, German
henkel ,
henk , handle; all probably akin to English
hang . See
Hang .]
1. A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or thread tied together. 2. A rope or withe for fastening a gate. [ Prov. Eng.]
3. Hold; influence. When the devil hath got such a hank over him.
Bp. Sanderson. 4. (Nautical) A ring or eye of rope, wood, or iron, attached to the edge of a sail and running on a stay.
Hanse Hanse (hăns)
noun [ Confer French
anse handle,
anse de panier surbased arch, flat arch, vault, and English
haunch hip.]
(Architecture) That part of an elliptical or many-centered arch which has the shorter radius and immediately adjoins the impost.