Hanger

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /hæŋə(ɹ)
• Rhymes: -æŋə(r)

Full definition of hanger

Noun

1. One who hangs, or causes to be hanged; a hangman.
2. That by which a thing is suspended. Especially:
1. A strap hung to the girdle, by which a dagger or sword is suspended.
2. (machines) A part that suspends a journal box in which shafting runs.
3. A bridle iron
4. A clothes hanger
3. That which hangs or is suspended, as a sword worn at the side; especially, in the 18th century, a short, curved sword.
• 1819, s:Author:Washington Irving, s:The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, He was a stout old gentleman, with a weather-beaten countenance; he wore a laced doublet, broad belt and hanger, high-crowned hat and feather, red stockings, and high-heeled shoes, with roses in them.
4. (UK) A steep, wooded declivity.
• 1789, w, w:The_Natural_History_and_Antiquities_of_Selborne, About the tenth of July in the same Summer a pair of sparrow-hawks bred in an old crow's nest on a low beech in the same hanger; and as their brood, which was numerous, began to grow up, became so daring and ravenous, that they were a terror to all the dames in the village that had chickens or ducklings under their care.
• 1896, w, w:A_Shropshire_Lad, 'Twould blow like this through holt and hanger

Usage notes

Not to be confused with hangar (a garage-like building for airplanes).

Anagrams

• rehang