Part 706

3. A sharp or steep declivity or slope. [Colloq.]

To get the hang of, to learn the method or arrangement of; hence, to become accustomed to. [Colloq.]

Hang"bird` (hng"brd`), n. (Zoˆl.) The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula); -- so called because its nest is suspended from the limb of a tree. See Baltimore oriole.

Hang"-by` (-b`), n.; pl. Hang-bies (-bz`). A dependent; a hanger-on; -- so called in contempt. B. Jonson.

Hang"dog` (-dg`), n. A base, degraded person; a sneak; a gallows bird.

Hang"dog`, a. Low; sneaking; ashamed.

The poor colonel went out of the room with a hangdog look.

Thackeray.

Hang"er (-r), n. 1. One who hangs, or causes to be hanged; a hangman.

2. That by which a thing is suspended. Especially: (a) A strap hung to the girdle, by which a dagger or sword is suspended. (b) (Mach.) A part that suspends a journal box in which shafting runs. See Illust. of Countershaft. (c) A bridle iron.

3. That which hangs or is suspended, as a sword worn at the side; especially, in the 18th century, a short, curved sword.

4. A steep, wooded declivity. [Eng.] Gilbert White.

Hang"er-on` (-n`), n.; pl. Hangers-on (-rz-n`). One who hangs on, or sticks to, a person, place, or service; a dependent; one who adheres to others' society longer than he is wanted. Goldsmith.

Hang"ing, a. 1. Requiring, deserving, or foreboding death by the halter. "What a hanging face!" Dryden.

2. Suspended from above; pendent; as, hanging shelves.

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

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.

Hang"ing, n. 1. The act of suspending anything; the state of being suspended.

2. Death by suspension; execution by a halter.

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.

Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls.

Dryden.

Hang"man (hng"man), n.; pl. Hangmen(-men). One who hangs another; esp., one who makes a business of hanging; a public executioner; -- sometimes used as a term of reproach, without reference to office. Shak.

Hang"man*ship, n. The office or character of a hangman.

Hang"nail` (-nl`), n. [A corruption of agnail.] A small piece or sliver of skin which hangs loose, near the root of a finger nail. Holloway.

Hang"nest` (-nst`), n. 1. A nest that hangs like a bag or pocket.

2. A bird which builds such a nest; a hangbird.

Hank (hnk), n. [Cf. Dan. hank handle, Sw. hank a band or tie, Icel. hanki hasp, clasp, hˆnk, hangr, hank, coil, skein, G. henkel, henk, handle; all prob. akin to E. hang. See Hang.] 1. A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or thread tied together.