Suspending something from above or attaching it to a wall; also refers to a method of execution.
From Old English 'hangian' related to 'hōn' (to hang), from Proto-Germanic 'hanhaną'. The word has maintained both its literal meaning of suspension and its darker meaning of execution throughout English history.
The word 'hanging' demonstrates how the same action can represent both beauty and tragedy - hanging gardens were one of the ancient wonders of the world, while hanging as execution represents justice's darker side. Interestingly, we say pictures are 'hanging' on walls even when they're actually resting on hooks or nails.
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