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dangle

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈdæŋɡəɫ// UK //dˈæŋɡəl// dan·gle Archaic Slang

v. to hang something loosely so it moves back and forth. In medicine, it describes a part of the body that hangs down freely, like a testicle.

v. to hang loosely or swing freely. In a medical context, it refers to a part of the body that hangs down, such as the testes.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked to see if the testicle was dangling correctly.

CONTEXTUAL

The surgeon noted that the patient's testicle was dangling freely, indicating a normal descent during development.

COMPLEX

During the physical examination, the physician observed that the testicle was dangling asymmetrically, which may suggest a congenital condition or a recent injury.

Synonyms
Origin

Uncertain, but likely of North Germanic origin, akin to Danish dingle, dangle, Swedish dangla (“to swing about”), Norwegian dangla, perhaps via North Frisian dangeln; all possibly related to Old Norse dengja (“to hit”).

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