hinge
UK[hɪndʒ]US[hɪndʒ]
n
a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes.
n
a central point or principle on which something depends or turns.
v
to attach or be attached by a hinge.
v
to depend entirely on.
Etymology
the word 'hinge' originates from the middle english 'heng' or 'henge', which itself is related to the old english word 'hengan', meaning 'to hang'. this etymological connection reveals the core function of a hinge: it is the device from which something hangs or swings. the word is of proto-germanic origin, stemming from 'hangijan', a causative form of the verb 'to hang'. over time, the meaning specialized from the general act of hanging to specifically denote the pivoting hardware that allows a door or gate to hang and move. this evolution from a verb of suspension to a noun for a specific mechanical joint illustrates a common pattern where a functional description becomes the name for the tool itself.
Analysis
the word 'hinge' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it is not productively composed of smaller, independent morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the door squeaked loudly on its rusty hinges.
the entire argument hinges on a single piece of evidence.
you need to hinge from the hips when performing that exercise correctly.