—v. (past and past part. Hung except in sense 7) 1 a secure or cause to be supported from above, esp. With the lower part free. B (foll. By up, on, on to, etc.) Attach by suspending from the top.

- set up (a door etc.) On hinges.

- place (a picture) on a wall or in an exhibition.

- attach (wallpaper) to a wall.

- (foll. By on) colloq. Blame (a thing) on (a person) (can't hang that on me).

- (foll. By with) decorate by suspending pictures etc. (hall hung with tapestries).

- (past and past part. Hanged) a suspend or be suspended by the neck with a noosed rope until dead, esp. As a form of capital punishment. B as a mild oath (hang the expense).

- let droop (hang one's head).

- suspend (meat or game) from a hook and leave until dry, tender, or high. 10 be or remain hung (in various senses). 11 remain static in the air. 12 (often foll. By over) be present or imminent, esp. Oppressively or threateningly (a hush hung over the room). 13 (foll. By on) a be contingent or dependent on (everything hangs on his reply). B listen closely to (hangs on my every word). —n. Way a thing hangs or falls. get the hang of colloq. Understand the technique or meaning of. Hang about (or around) 1 a stand about or spend time aimlessly; not move away. B linger near (a person or place).

- (often foll. By with) colloq. Associate with. Hang back show reluctance to act or move. Hang fire be slow in taking action or in progressing. Hang heavily (or heavy) (of time) seem to pass slowly. Hang in us colloq. - persist, persevere.

- linger. Hang on 1 (often foll. By to) continue to hold or grasp.

- (foll. By to) retain; fail to give back.

- colloq. A wait for a short time. B (in telephoning) not ring off during a pause in the conversation.

- colloq. Continue; persevere. Hang out 1 suspend from a window, clothes-line, etc.

- a protrude downwards (shirt hanging out). B (foll. By of) lean out of (a window etc.).

- slang frequent or live in a place. Hang together 1 make sense.

- remain associated. Hang up 1 hang from a hook etc.

- (often foll. By on) end a telephone conversation by replacing the receiver (he hung up on me).

- (usu. In passive, foll. By on) slang be a psychological problem or obsession for (is hung up on her father). Not care (or give) a hang colloq. Not care at all. [old english]