Hanger-on of low degree (6)

I believe the answer is:

icicle

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'hanger' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Cold hanger ' mean 'icicle' so perhaps 'hanger' could also mean 'icicle')

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for icicle that I've seen before include "Frozen water stalactite" , "Frozen water drip" , "Hanging spike of frozen water" , "Frozen water-drips" , "Hanging drop of cold water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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