"Hang down" is spelled as /hæŋ daʊn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is a verb that means to be suspended or to extend downwards. The first syllable "hang" is pronounced with an open front vowel /æ/, followed by the velar nasal consonant /ŋ/ and the voiceless dental fricative /θ/. The second syllable "down" is pronounced with the diphthong /aʊ/ which merges the back rounded vowel /ʌ/ and the back rounded vowel /oʊ/. The final nasal consonant is /n/.
To hang down refers to the act of extending or lowering something from a higher position, allowing it to freely suspend or dangle in the air without any support. It typically involves downward movement. This term is commonly used to describe the position or movement of various objects, such as curtains, ropes, branches, or body parts.
When an object hangs down, it lacks rigidity or support and depends on gravity to naturally assume a drooping or sagging shape. For instance, a loose piece of fabric may hang down from a clothesline or a tree branch may hang down due to its weight. Similarly, when a person extends their arm, leg, or head in a downward direction, it can be said that these body parts are hanging down.
The phrase "hang down" can also be used figuratively to describe moral or emotional characteristics. For example, if someone's head is hanging down, it often indicates a state of shame, guilt, or despondency. This figurative usage suggests a drooping posture or a lack of confidence.
In summary, the term "hang down" involves lowering or extending something from an elevated position, allowing it to freely suspend or dangle downward. It can describe both the physical movement of objects and body parts, as well as metaphorical expressions of emotions and attitudes.
The word "hang" originated from the Old English word "hōn" or "hangian", which can be traced back to Germanic languages such as Old Norse ("hanga") and Old High German ("hangen"). These words all referred to the action of suspending or being suspended from an elevated position.
The addition of the word "down" to "hang" creates the phrase "hang down", which simply means to dangle or droop in a downward direction. The word "down" is an adverb that denotes direction or movement towards a lower position.
Overall, the etymology of "hang down" stems from Old English and has roots in various Germanic languages.