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Translate files Dangling
/ˈdæŋɡlɪŋ/
Meaning & Definition
verb
Present participle of dangle.
The children were dangling their feet over the edge of the dock.
To hang or swing loosely.
The keys were dangling from her fingers.
To remain undecided or unresolved.
There was a dangling question about the project's future.
adjective
Hanging or swinging loosely.
He wore a necklace with a dangling charm.
Referring to a grammatical construction that lacks a clear subject.
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
Dangling something as a tease or to entice.
He kept dangling the prospect of a promotion in front of her.
Used informally in dating contexts to refer to someone who is leading another on.
Stop dangling him; if you're not interested, let him know.