"hold" Definition

The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.

To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.

To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.

To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.

To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.

To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.

To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.

To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.

To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.

To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.

In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:

Not to more; to halt; to stop;-mostly in the imperative.

Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.

Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave;-often with with, to, or for.

To restrain one's self; to refrain.

To derive right or title; -- generally with of.

The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; gripe; possession; -- often used with the verbs take and lay.

The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.

Binding power and influence.

Something that may be grasped; means of support.

A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.

A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold.

A character [thus /] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; -- called also pause, and corona.

(past and past part. Held) 1 a keep fast; grasp (esp. In the hands or arms). B (also refl.) Keep or sustain (a thing, oneself, one''s head, etc.) In a particular position. C grip so as to control (hold the reins). 2 have the capacity for, contain (holds two pints). 3 possess, gain, or have, esp.: a be the owner or tenant of (land, property, stocks, etc.). B gain or have gained (a qualification, record, etc.). C have the position of (a job or office). D keep possession of (a place etc.), esp. Against attack. 4 remain unbroken; not give way (roof held under the storm). 5 celebrate or conduct (a meeting, festival, conversation, etc.). 6 a keep (a person etc.) In a place or condition (held him in suspense). B detain, esp. In custody. 7 a engross (book held him for hours). B dominate (held the stage). 8 (foll. By to) keep (a person etc.) To (a promise etc.). 9 (of weather) continue fine. 10 think, believe; assert (held it to be plain; held that the earth was flat). 11 regard with a specified feeling (held him in contempt). 12 cease; restrain (hold your fire). 13 keep or reserve (please hold our seats). 14 be able to drink (alcohol) without effect (can''t hold his drink). 15 (of a court etc.) Lay down; decide. 16 mus. Sustain (a note). 17 = hold the line. n. 1 (foll. By on, over) influence or power over (has a strange hold over me). 2 manner of holding in wrestling etc. 3 grasp (take hold of him). 4 (often in comb.) Thing to hold by (seized the handhold). hold (a thing) against (a person) resent or regard it as discreditable to (a person). Hold back 1 impede the progress of; restrain. 2 keep for oneself. 3 (often foll. By from) hesitate; refrain. Hold one''s breath see *breath. Hold down 1 repress. 2 colloq. Be competent enough to keep (one''s job etc.). Hold the fort 1 act as a temporary substitute. 2 cope in an emergency. Hold forth speak at length or tediously. Hold one''s ground see *ground1. Hold hands grasp one another by the hand as a sign of affection or for support or guidance. Hold it cease action or movement. Hold the line not ring off (in a telephone connection).

Cavity in the lower part of a ship or aircraft for cargo. [old english: related to *hollow]