Hold

Hold, hōld, v.t. to keep possession of or authority over: to sustain: to defend: to maintain, support: to occupy: to derive title to: to bind: to confine: to restrain: to stop, as in 'to cry hold:' to continue: to persist in: to contain: to celebrate: to esteem: (Shak.) to endure: (arch.) to bet.—v.i. to remain fixed: to be true or unfailing: to continue unbroken or unsubdued: to adhere: to derive right:—pr.p. hōld′ing; pa.t. held; pa.p. held (obs. hōld′en).—n. act or manner of holding: seizure: power of seizing: something for support: a place of confinement: custody: a fortified place: (mus.) a mark over a rest or note, indicating that it is to be prolonged.—ns. Hold′-all, a general receptacle, esp. a big carpet-bag; Hold′-back, a check: a strap joining the breeching to the shaft of a vehicle; Hold′-beam, one of the beams crossing a ship's hold and strengthening the framework.—Hold′en (B.), old pa.p. of hold.—ns. Hold′er; Hold′-fast, that which holds fast: a long nail: a catch; Hold′ing, anything held: a farm held of a superior: hold: influence: (Scots law) tenure.—Hold forth, to put forward: show: to speak in public, to declaim; Hold hard! stop! Hold in, to restrain, check: to restrain one's self; Hold of (Pr. Bk.), to regard; Hold off, to keep at a distance; Hold on, to persist in something: to continue: to cling; Hold one in hand, to amuse in order to gain some advantage; Hold one's own, to maintain one's position; Hold one's peace, Hold one's tongue, to keep silence; Hold out, to endure, last; Hold over, to postpone, to keep possession of land or a house beyond the term of agreement; Hold the market (see Market); Hold together, to remain united: to cohere; Hold up, to raise: to continue to go at the same rate; Hold water, to be sound and firm, to endure trial; Hold with, to take sides with. [A.S. healdan; Old High Ger. haltan, Goth. haldan.]