To hang fire

To hang fire
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["a]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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • hang fire — ► hang fire delay or be delayed in taking action. Main Entry: ↑hang …   English terms dictionary

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  • Hang Fire — Infobox Single Name = Hang Fire Artist = Rolling Stones from Album = Tattoo You Released = April, 1982 Format = CD, 7 Recorded = 1977/1978, re recorded 1981 Genre = Rock Length = 2 20 Label = Rolling Stones/Virgin Writer = Jagger/Richards… …   Wikipedia

  • hang fire — 1. noun (firearms) the situation when a gun does not fire when the trigger is pulled, but may fire several seconds later. 2. verb To wait or hold back. We were told to hang fire on the decision until management came back with a proposal …   Wiktionary

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