Dictionary entry

Dangle

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Dan″gle (dăṉ″g'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Dangled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Dangling (?).] [Akin to Dan. dangle, dial. Sw. dangla, Dan. dingle, Sw. dingla, Icel. dingla; perh. from E. ding.] To hang loosely, or with a swinging or jerking motion.

He'd rather on a gibbet dangle

Than miss his dear delight, to wrangle. Hudibras.

From her lifted hand

Dangled a length of ribbon. Tennyson.

To dangle aboutorafter, to hang upon importunately; to court the favor of; to beset.

The Presbyterians, and other fanatics that dangle after them,

are well inclined to pull down the present establishment. Swift.