HINGE, a movable joint, e.g., of a door or window (M.E. hengen, to hang) ; any device joining two parts together, but allow ing them to move upon each other (see JOINERY). Figuratively, the word is used of a turning point or crisis on which something depends.
In modern industrial nations the manufacture of hinges of steel or brass has become a trade of large dimensions. The better sort of brass hinges are cast, but there is a big production of machine made cheap articles.