delay firing. After the trigger is pulled, a gun sometimes doesn't go off. This is called a "hang-fire" or delayed fire if it then goes off late. Used figuratively in the lecture in reference to a process which would stop working on an individual after a time. —ProTRs Transcript Glossary. Final approval 29/10/89 (Edited for context.) (5th ACC Glossary Part 1) Final approval 2.12.89