hangnail n 1: a loose narrow strip of skin near the base of a fingernail; tearing it produces a painful sore that is easily infected [syn: {hangnail}, {agnail}]
Hangnail \Hang"nail`\ (-n[=a]l`), n. [A corruption of agnail.] A small piece or sliver of skin which hangs loose, near the root of a finger nail. --Holloway. [1913 Webster]