- hang
- hang vb 1 Hang, suspend, sling, dangle mean to place or be placed so as to be supported at one point or on one side, usually a point or side at the top.Hang typically implies a fastening to an elevated point or line so as to allow motion to what falls from such a point or line{
hang the washing on a line
}{hundreds of plums hang from the tree's branches
}{hang curtains
}{carcasses of lamb were hung in the butcher's window
}{hang out a flag from a window
}In extended use hang often implies a position or a relation suggestive of hanging, such as that of something poised or seemingly poised in the air{a dim, oblong patch of light hanging slantwise in the darkness— O'Flaherty
}{just above its [the poplar's] pointed tip, hung the hollow, silver winter moon— Cather
}or of one thing dependent upon another{a good deal . . . hangs on the meaning . . . of this short word— T. S. Eliot
}or of something clinging or adhering to something else{she hangs on his arm
}{thereby hangs a tale— Shak.
}{most heavily remorse hangs at my heart!— Shelley
}Suspend is preferred to hang (or hung) when support from a point above suggests flexibility, free motion or movement, or a display of skill{hams, tongues, and flitches of bacon were suspended from the ceiling— Irving
}{others [of the rebels] were suspended from the boughs of the oak— Keightley
}Suspend is also employed more often than hang when a floating in a fluid (as air or water) is suggested (see SUSPENDED){wasplike flies barred with yellow suspended themselves in the air— Jefferiesy
}Sling basically implies the use of a sling for hoisting or lowering heavy or bulky articles with ease. Sometimes the term implies a hanging over the shoulder, or arm, or similar support (as for ease in carrying){slung a basket on her arm
}{sling a scaffold from a roof
}Dangle implies a hanging loosely in such a manner as to swing or sway or twist to and fro{dangled his cane from a finger
}{the children sat on the high wall, their legs dangling
}{for all might see the bottlenecks still dangling at his waist— Cowper
}In extended use dangle usually implies dependence on someone, often a loose dependence or connection, in hope of a reward for attentions or services{she keeps several suitors dangling
}{dangling to them the lures of levity and life— Beerbohm
}2 *depend, hinge,turn
New Dictionary of Synonyms. 2014.
