2. A narrow channel of water. [R.]
The Celtic Sea, called oftentimes the Sleeve.
--Drayton.
3. (Mach.)
(a) A tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady
another part, or to form a connection between two
parts.
(b) A long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel.
(c) A short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or
forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.
{Sleeve button}, a detachable button to fasten the wristband
or cuff.
{Sleeve links}, two bars or buttons linked together, and used
to fasten a cuff or wristband.
{To laugh in the sleeve}, to laugh privately or unperceived,
especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious
demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at; that is,
perhaps, originally, by hiding the face in the wide
sleeves of former times.
{To pin}, or {hang}, {on the sleeve of}, to be, or make,
dependent upon.
Usage: 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.] [OE. hangen, hangien, v.
t. & i., AS. hangian, v. i., fr. h?n, v. t. (imp.
heng, p. p. hongen); akin to OS. hang?n, v. i. D.
hangen, v. t. & i., G. hangen, v. i, h["a]ngen, v. t,
Isel hanga, v. i., Goth. h[=a]han, v. t. (imp.
ha['i]hah), h[=a]han, v. i. (imp. hahaida), and perh.
to L. cunctari to delay. [root]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.
2. To be fastened in such a manner as to allow of free motion
on the point or points of suspension.
3. To die or be put to death by suspension from the neck.
[R.] ``Sir Balaam hangs.'' --Pope.
4. To hold for support; to depend; to cling; -- usually with
on or upon; as, this question hangs on a single point.
``Two infants hanging on her neck.'' --Peacham.
5. To be, or be like, a suspended weight.
Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden. --Addison.
6. To hover; to impend; to appear threateningly; -- usually
with over; as, evils hang over the country.
7. To lean or incline; to incline downward.
To decide which way hung the victory. --Milton.
His neck obliquely o'er his shoulder hung. --Pope.
8. To slope down; as, hanging grounds.
9. To be undetermined or uncertain; to be in suspense; to
linger; to be delayed.
A noble stroke he lifted high, Which hung not, but
so swift with tempest fell On the proud crest of
Satan. --Milton.
{To hang around}, to loiter idly about.
{To hang back}, to hesitate; to falter; to be reluctant. ``If
any one among you hangs back.'' --Jowett (Thucyd.).
{To hang by the eyelids}.
(a) To hang by a very slight hold or tenure.
(b) To be in an unfinished condition; to be left
incomplete.
{To hang in doubt}, to be in suspense.
{To hang on} (with the emphasis on the preposition), to keep
hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a
disease.
{To hang on the} {lips, words}, etc., to be charmed by
eloquence.
{To hang out}.
(a) To be hung out so as to be displayed; to project.
(b) To be unyielding; as, the juryman hangs out against an
agreement. [Colloq.]
2. Connection; arrangement; plan; as, the hang of a
discourse. [Colloq.]