Past tense and past participle of 'hang' when referring to suspending something from above. Also used to describe a jury that cannot reach a unanimous decision.
From Old English 'hangian' meaning to suspend or be suspended. The irregular past tense 'hung' developed alongside the regular 'hanged', with 'hanged' typically reserved for executions and 'hung' for other suspended objects.
English uniquely distinguishes between 'hung' and 'hanged' in a way that most other languages don't. This distinction reflects the gravity of capital punishment - people are 'hanged' while pictures are 'hung', showing how language can carry moral weight.
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