hanging
n. · adj.-
1 execution (n.) B1 Intermediate Lawthe act of killing someone by hanging them with a rope around the neck.
the act of executing a person by suspending them by the neck until dead.
ExampleIn the past, a hanging was often a public event that many people attended.
ExampleThe historian noted that public hangings served as a grim deterrent in eighteenth-century London, drawing massive crowds to the gallows.
- execution
- capital punishment
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2 decoration (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea large piece of fabric or a decoration that you hang on a wall.
a decorative object, such as a tapestry or curtain, suspended from a wall or ceiling.
ExampleThe colorful wall hanging made the living room feel much warmer.
ExampleThe museum's collection includes several medieval silk hangings that have been carefully preserved to prevent light damage.
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3 suspended (adj.) B1 Intermediateattached to something above so that the bottom part can move.
suspended from above; attached in a way that allows for free movement or dangling.
ExampleThe garden was full of hanging baskets filled with bright red flowers.
ExampleThe architect designed a series of hanging gardens to soften the harsh concrete lines of the modern office complex.
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4 disgusting (adj.) C1 Advanced British English Slang Informalvery ugly, unpleasant, or disgusting.
extremely unattractive, repulsive, or of poor quality.
ExampleI'm not eating that burger; it looks absolutely hanging.
ExampleHe refused to stay in the hostel, claiming the bathrooms were hanging and the service was even worse.
Teacher's tipThis is a very informal Britishism; learners should use it only in casual speech with friends to avoid sounding rude.
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
From Middle English hangynge, honginge, equivalent to hang + -ing. Compare Old English hengen (“hanging”) and hōhing (“hanging”).