hold
[1]
vb , holds, holding, held
1 to have or keep (an object) with or within the hands, arms, etc.; clasp
2 tr to support or bear
to hold a drowning man's head above water
3 to maintain or be maintained in a specified state or condition
to hold one's emotions in check, hold firm
4 tr to set aside or reserve
they will hold our tickets until tomorrow
5 when intr, usually used in commands to restrain or be restrained from motion, action, departure, etc.
hold that man until the police come
6 intr to remain fast or unbroken
that cable won't hold much longer
7 intr (of the weather) to remain dry and bright
how long will the weather hold?
8 tr to keep the attention of
her singing held the audience
9 tr to engage in or carry on
to hold a meeting
10 tr to have the ownership, possession, etc., of
he holds a law degree from London, who's holding the ace of spades?
11 tr to have the use of or responsibility for
to hold the office of director
12 tr to have the space or capacity for
the carton will hold only eight books
13 tr to be able to control the outward effects of drinking beer, spirits, etc.
he can hold his drink well
14 often foll by: to or by to remain or cause to remain committed to
hold him to his promise, he held by his views in spite of opposition
15 tr; takes a clause as object to claim
he holds that the theory is incorrect
16 intr to remain relevant, valid, or true
the old philosophies don't hold nowadays
17 tr to keep in the mind
to hold affection for someone
18 tr to regard or consider in a specified manner
I hold him very dear
19 tr to guard or defend successfully
hold the fort against the attack
20 intr to continue to go
hold on one's way
21 sometimes foll by: on (Music) to sustain the sound of (a note) throughout its specified duration
to hold on a semibreve for its full value
22 tr (Computing) to retain (data) in a storage device after copying onto another storage device or onto another location in the same device
Compare →
clear →
49
23 tr to be in possession of illegal drugs
24 ♦
hold (good) for to apply or be relevant to
the same rules hold for everyone
b stay in the same position! as when being photographed
26 ♦
hold one's head high to conduct oneself in a proud and confident manner
27 ♦
hold one's own to maintain one's situation or position esp. in spite of opposition or difficulty
28 ♦
hold one's peace or tongue to keep silent
29 ♦
hold water to prove credible, logical, or consistent
30 ♦
there is no holding him he is so spirited or resolute that he cannot be restrained
n
31 the act or method of holding fast or grasping, as with the hands
32 something to hold onto, as for support or control
33 an object or device that holds fast or grips something else so as to hold it fast
34 controlling force or influence
she has a hold on him
35 a short delay or pause
36 ♦
on hold in a state of temporary postponement or delay
37 a prison or a cell in a prison
38 (Wrestling) a way of seizing one's opponent
a wrist hold
39 (Music) a pause or fermata
a a tenure or holding, esp. of land
b (in combination)
leasehold, freehold, copyhold
42 Archaic a fortified place
b to come into contact with
44 ♦
no holds barred all limitations removed, (See also)
→
hold back →
hold down →
hold forth →
hold in →
hold off →
hold on →
hold out →
hold over →
hold together →
hold-up →
hold with
(Old English healdan; related to Old Norse halla, Gothic haldan, German halten)
♦
holdable adj