subs. phr. (old).—See quots.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. HANG-IN-CHAINS, a vile desperate fellow.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum. HANG-IN-CHAINS. A vile, desperate fellow. Persons guilty of murder, or other atrocious crimes, are frequently, after execution, hanged on a gibbet, to which they are fastened by iron bandages; the gibbet is commonly placed on or near the place where the crime was committed.
