Main Entry:

hang·nail

Pronunciation:

\-ˌnāl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

by folk etymology from agnail inflammation about the nail, from Middle English, corn on the foot or toe, from Old English angnægl, from ang- (akin to enge tight, painful) + nægl nail — more at anger

Date:

1678

: a bit of skin hanging loose at the side or root of a fingernail