hanger

Meaning

Noun

• One who hangs, or causes to be hanged; a hangman, paper hanger, etc.
• A person who attempts suicide by hanging.
• That by which a thing is suspended.
• A short and broad backsword, worn so to hang at the side, especially popular in the 18th century.
• A steep, wooded slope.
• A hanging pitch; a pitch (typically a breaking ball or slider) that is poorly executed, hence easy to hit.
• Synonym of spectacular mark
• Hunger and anger, especially when the anger is induced by the hunger.

Origin

• From Middle English hanger, haunger, hangere, equivalent to hang + -er. Compare West Frisian hinger, Dutch hanger, German Hänger and Henker.