hanging wall

noun

1. Mining.,  the underside of the wall rock overlying a vein or bed of ore.

2. Geology.,  a mass of rock overhanging a fault plane.

hanging wall

noun

1. the rocks on the upper side of an inclined fault plane or mineral vein Compare footwall

hanging wall

1. The block of rock lying above an inclined geologic fault plane.

2. See more at fault Compare footwall

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanging wall¹

First recorded in 1770–80