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.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Hang Fire — «Hang Fire» Sencillo de The Rolling Stones del álbum Tattoo You Lado B Neighbours Grabación 1978,1981 Género(s) Rock …   Wikipedia Español

  • hang fire — {v. phr.} 1. To fail or be slow in shooting or firing. * /Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer escaped./ 2. To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait. * /The boys plans for organizing a scout troop hung fire because… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hang fire — {v. phr.} 1. To fail or be slow in shooting or firing. * /Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer escaped./ 2. To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait. * /The boys plans for organizing a scout troop hung fire because… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hang fire — hang/hold fire to delay doing something, especially making a decision, because you are waiting to see what will happen. It would have been good to settle the matter now, but I think we should hang fire until the general situation becomes clearer …   New idioms dictionary

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

  • hang-fire — «HANG FYR», noun. a delay in the explosion of the charge of a gun or the like …   Useful english dictionary

  • Hang fire — is a term that refers to a state in which an unexpected delay is encountered between a firearm being triggered and the initiation of the propellant. This mode of failure was common in firearm actions which relied upon open primer pans, due to… …   Wikipedia

  • hang fire — DELAY, hang back, hold back, hold on, stall, pause; procrastinate, vacillate, adopt Fabian tactics; informal hang about/around, sit tight, hold one s horses. → hang * * * delay or be delayed in taking action or progressing * * * hang fire see… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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

  • hang fire — delstinis šūvis statusas T sritis Gynyba apibrėžtis Nepageidaujamas ginklo sistemos veikimo uždelsimas. atitikmenys: angl. hang fire rus. затяжной выстрел …   Artilerijos terminų žodynas

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”