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.
{Hung beef}, the fleshy part of beef slightly salted and hung
up to dry; dried beef.