Meaning & Definition of word "Dangling"
to
Dangling
/ˈdæŋɡlɪŋ/
verb:
- 1. Present participle of dangle.
- Example: The children were dangling their feet over the edge of the dock.
- 2. To hang or swing loosely.
- Example: The keys were dangling from her fingers.
- 3. To remain undecided or unresolved.
- Example: There was a dangling question about the project's future.
adjective:
- 1. Hanging or swinging loosely.
- Example: He wore a necklace with a dangling charm.
- 2. Referring to a grammatical construction that lacks a clear subject.
- Example: The sentence contained a dangling participle that confused the reader.
Etymology
From Middle English 'danglen', perhaps a frequentative of 'dang' meaning to hang.
Common Phrases and Expressions
dangling participle:
A grammatical construct where the participle is not properly connected to its subject, often leading to awkward or ambiguous sentences.
dangling chad:
A term used in elections referring to a ballot that is only partially punched, hanging from the ballot card.
Related Words
dangle:
To hang or swing loosely.
dangling modifier:
A word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.
Slang Meanings of dangling
Meaning: Dangling something as a tease or to entice.
Example Sentence: He kept dangling the prospect of a promotion in front of her.
Meaning: Used informally in dating contexts to refer to someone who is leading another on.
Example Sentence: Stop dangling him; if you're not interested, let him know.