hanging
hanging — noun
1. a legal method of capital punishment in which a noose is placed around the conde
a legal method of capital punishment in which a noose is placed around the condemned person's neck and the body is dropped from a height, causing death by a broken neck or strangulation
The court sentenced the convicted murderer to death by hanging.
death by hanging — typical legal collocation
Public hangings in the town square drew large crowds until officials banned the practice in 1868.
Many international human rights groups campaign against hanging as a form of punishment.
Historians estimate that over three hundred hangings took place at Tyburn gallows between 1700 and 1750.
- execution
broader term covering any method of carrying out a death sentence
- capital punishment
refers to the legal system of executing criminals, not a specific method
用法筆記
The verb form uses hanged (not hung) when referring to execution: 'The prisoner was hanged at dawn.' For all other meanings the past tense is hung.
常見錯誤
2. an ornamental piece of fabric, paper, or other material that is fixed to a wall,
an ornamental piece of fabric, paper, or other material that is fixed to a wall, placed around a bed, or draped over a window for decoration
A brightly colored wall hanging made the small room feel warm and inviting.
wall hanging — common compound noun
Yusuf bought a traditional woven hanging at the market in Marrakech.
The museum displayed an ancient tapestry hanging that once decorated a palace hall.
Soft silk hangings covered the windows, letting in only a gentle light.
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (hangings) to refer to a set of decorative cloths around a room, such as window hangings or bed hangings.
hanging — adjective
1. built on or located upon a slope that rises or falls at a very sharp angle, ofte
built on or located upon a slope that rises or falls at a very sharp angle, often appearing to cling to the hillside
The famous hanging gardens of Babylon were built on a series of raised terraces.
hanging gardens — historical proper noun
Farmers in the Alps grow grapes on hanging slopes that face south toward the sun.
Geologists identified the valley as a classic example of a hanging valley formed by glaciers.
The ancient village features hanging houses that seem to grow out of the cliff face.
用法筆記
Most commonly encountered in fixed geographic terms such as 'hanging valley' (a valley that ends abruptly at a steep drop) and 'hanging garden' (a garden built on a steep slope or terrace).
2. sticking outward or hanging downward from a higher position, so that the area be
sticking outward or hanging downward from a higher position, so that the area below is partly covered or shaded
Hanging rocks along the coastal path pose a real danger after heavy rain.
The hikers took shelter under a large hanging cliff during the sudden storm.
Hanging branches from the old oak tree brushed against the upstairs bedroom window.
The architect designed a hanging balcony that extends nearly three meters from the front wall.
- overhanging
the more common equivalent; 'hanging' is more restricted in use
3. fixed along one edge to a vertical surface, without any legs or direct contact w
fixed along one edge to a vertical surface, without any legs or direct contact with the floor for support
The kitchen has a hanging cabinet above the sink that holds spices and dishes.
hanging cabinet — kitchen furniture
Hanging shelves are a practical choice for very small dorm rooms with limited floor space.
The carpenter installed a hanging bookcase along the empty wall beside the fireplace.
A hanging desk in the corner folds up when not in use to save space.
- wall-mounted
the more widely understood alternative, especially in American English
- wall-hung
used for toilets and furniture that are fixed to the wall
用法筆記
Primarily British English; in American English the term 'wall-mounted' or 'wall-hung' is more common for fixtures such as cabinets and shelves.
4. drooping or turned downward in a way that suggests sadness, disappointment, or l
drooping or turned downward in a way that suggests sadness, disappointment, or low spirits
The child walked away with a hanging lip after her older brother grabbed the toy.
hanging lip — fixed phrase for a sad expression
Tomás's hanging shoulders and slow steps told the whole team the news was bad.
Leila noticed the dog's hanging tail and knew something was wrong at home.
The manager's hanging expression showed how disappointed she was with the results.
用法筆記
A literary or old-fashioned usage. The more common way to express downcast appearance is with verbs such as 'droop', 'hang low', or 'sag', rather than the adjective 'hanging'.
5. designed or made to hold an item that is suspended freely, such as a plant conta
designed or made to hold an item that is suspended freely, such as a plant container, a lamp, or a storage rack
A hanging basket of pink geraniums decorated the front entrance of the cafe.
hanging basket — common gardening term
Pia bought a set of hanging planters for her small balcony in the city.
The hanging lamp above the dining table casts a warm glow over family meals.
Hanging racks in the laundry room help delicate clothes dry without creasing.
The garden centre sells a range of hanging bird feeders for the backyard.
6. so serious that it could be punished by death through hanging, or likely to resu
so serious that it could be punished by death through hanging, or likely to result in a person being hanged
In eighteenth-century England, stealing a loaf of bread was technically a hanging offense.
hanging offense — set phrase for a crime punishable by death
The rebels were told that desertion was a hanging crime under military law.
Modern legal systems treat very few crimes as hanging matters worthy of execution.
These days people use the phrase hanging offense humorously to describe a minor mistake.
- capital
used in 'capital offense' to mean a crime punishable by death, without specifying the method
用法筆記
In modern informal English, 'hanging offense' is frequently used as hyperbole for a very serious mistake or social blunder, rather than a literal crime. Example: 'I forgot her birthday — apparently that's a hanging offense.'