Hanging \Hang"ing\, a.
   1. Requiring, deserving, or foreboding death by the halter.
      "What a hanging face!" --Dryden.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. Suspended from above; pendent; as, hanging shelves.
      
[1913 Webster]


   3. Adapted for sustaining a hanging object; as, the hanging
      post of a gate, the post which holds the hinges.
      
[1913 Webster]


   {Hanging compass}, a compass suspended so that the card may
      be read from beneath.

   {Hanging garden}, a garden sustained at an artificial
      elevation by any means, as by the terraces at Babylon.

   {Hanging indentation}. See under {Indentation}.

   {Hanging rail} (Arch.), that rail of a door or casement to
      which hinges are attached.

   {Hanging side} (Mining), the overhanging side of an inclined
      or hading vein.

   {Hanging sleeves}.
      (a) Strips of the same stuff as the gown, hanging down the
          back from the shoulders.
      (b) Loose, flowing sleeves.

   {Hanging stile}. (Arch.)
      (a) That stile of a door to which hinges are secured.
      (b) That upright of a window frame to which casements are
          hinged, or in which the pulleys for sash windows are
          fastened.

   {Hanging wall} (Mining), the upper wall of inclined vein, or
      that which hangs over the miner's head when working in the
      vein.
      
[1913 Webster]

Hanging \Hang"ing\, n.
   1. The act of suspending anything; the state of being
      suspended.
      
[1913 Webster]


   2. Death by suspension; execution by a halter.
      
[1913 Webster]


   3. That which is hung as lining or drapery for the walls of a
      room, as tapestry, paper, etc., or to cover or drape a
      door or window; -- used chiefly in the plural.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls.
                                                  --Dryden.
      
[1913 Webster]

Hang \Hang\ (h[a^]ng), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hanged} (h[a^]ngd)
   or {Hung} (h[u^]ng); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hanging}.

   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, hongien, v.
          t. & i., AS. hangian, v. i., fr. h[=o]n, v. t. (imp.
          heng, p. p. hongen); akin to OS. hang[=o]n, v. i., D.
          hangen, v. t. & i., G. hangen, v. i, h[aum]ngen, v.
          t., Icel. 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.
      
[1913 Webster]


   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.
      
[1913 Webster]


   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.]
      
[1913 Webster]


   4. To put to death by suspending by the neck; -- a form of
      capital punishment; as, to hang a murderer.
      
[1913 Webster]


   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.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Hung be the heavens with black.       --Shak.
      
[1913 Webster]


            And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils.
                                                  --Dryden.
      
[1913 Webster]


   6. To paste, as paper hangings, on the walls of a room.
      
[1913 Webster]


   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.
      
[1913 Webster]


            Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. --Milton.
      
[1913 Webster]


   8. To prevent from reaching a decision, esp. by refusing to
      join in a verdict that must be unanimous; as, one
      obstinate juror can hang a jury.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   {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.
      
[1913 Webster]