hold
VERB:
(tr or intr):
1. to have or keep (an object) with or within the hands, arms, etc; clasp.
2. to maintain or be maintained in a specified state or condition:
to hold one's emotions in check; hold firm.
3. (when intr, usually used in commands) to restrain or be restrained from motion, action, departure, etc:
hold that man until the police come.
4. (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.
(tr):
1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp:
She held the purse in her right hand; He held the child's hand in his.
2. to set aside; reserve or retain:
to hold merchandise until called for; to hold a reservation.
3. to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means.
4. to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.:
The preacher held them spellbound.
5. to detain:
The police held him at the station house.
6. to engage in; preside over; carry on:
to hold a meeting.
7. to keep back from action; hinder; restrain:
Fear held him from acting.
8. to have the ownership or use of; keep as one's own; occupy:
to hold political office.
9. to contain or be capable of containing:
This bottle holds a quart.
10. to bind or make accountable to an obligation:
We will hold you to your promise to pay back the money.
11. to have or keep in the mind; think or believe:
We hold this belief.
12. to regard or consider:
to hold a person responsible.
13. to decide legally.
14. to consider of a certain value; rate:
We held her best of all the applicants.
15. to keep forcibly, as against an adversary:
Enemy forces held the hill.
16. to point, aim, or direct:
He held a gun on the prisoner; The firefighter held a hose on the blaze.
17. to support or bear:
to hold a drowning man's head above water.
18. to set aside or reserve:
they will hold our tickets until tomorrow.
19. to keep the attention of:
her singing held the audience.
20. to engage in or carry on:
to hold a meeting.
21. to have the ownership, possession, etc, of:
he holds a law degree from London; who's holding the ace of spades?
22. to have the use of or responsibility for:
to hold the office of director.
23. to have the space or capacity for:
the carton will hold only eight books.
24. (takes a clause as object) to claim:
he holds that the theory is incorrect.
25. to keep in the mind:
to hold affection for someone.
26. to regard or consider in a specified manner:
I hold him very dear.
27. to guard or defend successfully:
hold the fort against the attack.
28. to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal:
holds property worth millions; the bank holds the title to the car.
29. to have as a privilege or position of responsibility:
hold a professorship.
30. to have as a mark of distinction:
holds the record for the 100-yard dash; holds a PhD.
31. to keep under restraint:
hold price increases to a minimum
such as:
a) to prevent free expression of:
hold your temper;
b) to prevent from some action:
ordered the troops to hold fire; the only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant. --Thomas Jefferson;
c) to keep back from use:
ask them to hold a room for us; I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustard;
d) to delay temporarily the handling of:
please hold all my calls;
32. to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation:
I'll hold you to your promise.
33. to have or maintain in the grasp:
hold my hand; this is how you hold the racket
—also, aim, point:
held a gun on them.
34. to support in a particular position or keep from falling or moving:
hold me up so I can see; hold the ladder steady; a clamp holds the whole thing together; hold your head up.
35. to bear the pressure of; support:
can the roof hold all of that weight?
36. to prevent from leaving or getting away:
hold the train;
such as:
a) to avoid emitting or letting out:
how long can you hold your breath?
b) to restrain as or as if a captive:
the suspect was held without bail; held them at gunpoint
—also, to have strong appeal to:
the book held my interest throughout.
37. to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds; contain:
the jug holds one gallon; this corral will not hold all of the horses.
38. accommodate:
the restaurant holds 400 diners.
39. to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute:
the book holds a number of surprises
—also, to have in store:
no one knows what the future holds.
40. to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion, or belief:
I hold the view that this is wrong; hold a grudge; holding that it is nobody's business but his. —Jack Olsen;
—often used with against:
in America they hold everything you say against you. —Paul McCartney.
41. to think of in a particular way; regard:
were held in high esteem.
42. to assemble for and carry on the activity of:
held a convention.
43. to cause to be carried on; conduct:
will hold a seminar.
44. to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition:
will hold an art show.
45. to maintain occupation, control, or defense of:
the troops held the ridge
—also, to resist the offensive efforts or advance of:
held the opposing team to just two points.
46. to maintain (a certain condition, situation, or course of action) without change:
hold a course due east.
47. to cover (a part of the body) with one or both hands (as for protection or comfort):
held his knee after the fall
—especially, to cover (the ears) to prevent hearing:
held her ears when the train went by.
Examples:
Hold the rail so you won't fall; He was holding a large package in his arms. —Merriam-Webster.
in computing:
to retain (data) in a storage device after copying onto another storage device or onto another location in the same device.
Compare clear.
of food, drink, etc:
1. to omit from the usual order or combination:
Give me a burger well-done—hold the pickle.
2. to be able to control the outward effects of drinking beer, spirits, etc:
he can hold his drink well.
3. to be able to consume easily or without undue effect:
can't hold any more pie
—especially, to be able to drink (alcoholic beverages) without becoming noticeably drunk:
can't hold your liquor.
in music:
1. to sustain (a note, chord, or rest).
2. (tr or intr) (sometimes foll by on) to sustain the sound of (a note) throughout its specified duration:
to hold on a semibreve for its full value.
of drugs:
to be in possession of illegal drugs.
(intr):
1. to remain or continue in a specified state, relation, etc.:
Hold still while I take your picture.
2. to remain fast; adhere; cling:
Will this button hold?
3. to keep or maintain a grasp on something.
4. to maintain one's position against opposition; continue in resistance.
5. to agree or side (usually followed by with):
to hold with new methods.
6. to hold property by some tenure; derive title (usually followed by by, from, in, or of).
7. to remain attached, faithful, or steadfast (usually followed by to):
to hold to one's purpose.
8. to remain valid; be in force:
The rule does not hold.
9. to refrain or forbear (usually used imperatively).
10. to remain fast or unbroken:
that cable won't hold much longer.
11. (of the weather) to remain dry and bright:
how long will the weather hold?
12. to remain relevant, valid, or true:
the old philosophies don't hold nowadays.
13. to continue to go:
hold on one's way.
14. to maintain position; refuse to give ground:
the defensive line is holding.
15. to continue in the same way or to the same degree; last:
hopes the weather will hold
—often used with up.
16. to derive right or title —often used with of or from:
lands held of the Crown.
17. to be or remain valid; apply:
the rule holds in most cases
—often used in the phrase "hold true."
18. to maintain a grasp on something; remain fastened to something:
the anchor held in the rough sea.
19. to go ahead as one has been going:
held south for several miles.
20. to bear or carry oneself:
asked him to hold still.
21. to forbear an intended or threatened action; halt, pause
—often used as a command.
22. to stop counting during a countdown.
slang:
to have illicit drug material in one's possession.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English holden,Old English h(e)aldan; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Norse halda,Old Saxon, Gothic haldan,Old High German haltan (German halten). Dictionary 2: Old English healdan; related to Old Norse halla, Gothic haldan, German halten. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of hold: Verb: before the 12th century. Noun (1): 14th century. Noun (2): 1591. History and Etymology for hold: Verb and Noun (1): Middle English holden, going back to Old English healdan, going back to Germanic *hald-a-, whence also Old High German haltan "to protect, guard, hold," Old Saxon haldan, Old Norse halda, Gothic haldan "to tend, graze (cattle)"; perhaps, if -d- (going back to Indo-European *-dh-) is a root extension with resultative meaning, a derivative from the Indo-European base *kel- "drive, urge" (whence Greek kelésthai "to urge, exhort"), with sense shift from "pasture" to "keep, protect" to "hold" — more at accelerate. Noun (2): alteration of hole. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
(tr or intr):
1. to have or keep (an object) with or within the hands, arms, etc; clasp.
2. to maintain or be maintained in a specified state or condition:
to hold one's emotions in check; hold firm.
3. (when intr, usually used in commands) to restrain or be restrained from motion, action, departure, etc:
hold that man until the police come.
4. (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.
(tr):
1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp:
She held the purse in her right hand; He held the child's hand in his.
2. to set aside; reserve or retain:
to hold merchandise until called for; to hold a reservation.
3. to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means.
4. to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.:
The preacher held them spellbound.
5. to detain:
The police held him at the station house.
6. to engage in; preside over; carry on:
to hold a meeting.
7. to keep back from action; hinder; restrain:
Fear held him from acting.
8. to have the ownership or use of; keep as one's own; occupy:
to hold political office.
9. to contain or be capable of containing:
This bottle holds a quart.
10. to bind or make accountable to an obligation:
We will hold you to your promise to pay back the money.
11. to have or keep in the mind; think or believe:
We hold this belief.
12. to regard or consider:
to hold a person responsible.
13. to decide legally.
14. to consider of a certain value; rate:
We held her best of all the applicants.
15. to keep forcibly, as against an adversary:
Enemy forces held the hill.
16. to point, aim, or direct:
He held a gun on the prisoner; The firefighter held a hose on the blaze.
17. to support or bear:
to hold a drowning man's head above water.
18. to set aside or reserve:
they will hold our tickets until tomorrow.
19. to keep the attention of:
her singing held the audience.
20. to engage in or carry on:
to hold a meeting.
21. to have the ownership, possession, etc, of:
he holds a law degree from London; who's holding the ace of spades?
22. to have the use of or responsibility for:
to hold the office of director.
23. to have the space or capacity for:
the carton will hold only eight books.
24. (takes a clause as object) to claim:
he holds that the theory is incorrect.
25. to keep in the mind:
to hold affection for someone.
26. to regard or consider in a specified manner:
I hold him very dear.
27. to guard or defend successfully:
hold the fort against the attack.
28. to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal:
holds property worth millions; the bank holds the title to the car.
29. to have as a privilege or position of responsibility:
hold a professorship.
30. to have as a mark of distinction:
holds the record for the 100-yard dash; holds a PhD.
31. to keep under restraint:
hold price increases to a minimum
such as:
a) to prevent free expression of:
hold your temper;
b) to prevent from some action:
ordered the troops to hold fire; the only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant. --Thomas Jefferson;
c) to keep back from use:
ask them to hold a room for us; I'll have a hot dog, and hold the mustard;
d) to delay temporarily the handling of:
please hold all my calls;
32. to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation:
I'll hold you to your promise.
33. to have or maintain in the grasp:
hold my hand; this is how you hold the racket
—also, aim, point:
held a gun on them.
34. to support in a particular position or keep from falling or moving:
hold me up so I can see; hold the ladder steady; a clamp holds the whole thing together; hold your head up.
35. to bear the pressure of; support:
can the roof hold all of that weight?
36. to prevent from leaving or getting away:
hold the train;
such as:
a) to avoid emitting or letting out:
how long can you hold your breath?
b) to restrain as or as if a captive:
the suspect was held without bail; held them at gunpoint
—also, to have strong appeal to:
the book held my interest throughout.
37. to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds; contain:
the jug holds one gallon; this corral will not hold all of the horses.
38. accommodate:
the restaurant holds 400 diners.
39. to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute:
the book holds a number of surprises
—also, to have in store:
no one knows what the future holds.
40. to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion, or belief:
I hold the view that this is wrong; hold a grudge; holding that it is nobody's business but his. —Jack Olsen;
—often used with against:
in America they hold everything you say against you. —Paul McCartney.
41. to think of in a particular way; regard:
were held in high esteem.
42. to assemble for and carry on the activity of:
held a convention.
43. to cause to be carried on; conduct:
will hold a seminar.
44. to produce or sponsor especially as a public exhibition:
will hold an art show.
45. to maintain occupation, control, or defense of:
the troops held the ridge
—also, to resist the offensive efforts or advance of:
held the opposing team to just two points.
46. to maintain (a certain condition, situation, or course of action) without change:
hold a course due east.
47. to cover (a part of the body) with one or both hands (as for protection or comfort):
held his knee after the fall
—especially, to cover (the ears) to prevent hearing:
held her ears when the train went by.
Examples:
Hold the rail so you won't fall; He was holding a large package in his arms. —Merriam-Webster.
in computing:
to retain (data) in a storage device after copying onto another storage device or onto another location in the same device.
Compare clear.
of food, drink, etc:
1. to omit from the usual order or combination:
Give me a burger well-done—hold the pickle.
2. to be able to control the outward effects of drinking beer, spirits, etc:
he can hold his drink well.
3. to be able to consume easily or without undue effect:
can't hold any more pie
—especially, to be able to drink (alcoholic beverages) without becoming noticeably drunk:
can't hold your liquor.
in music:
1. to sustain (a note, chord, or rest).
2. (tr or intr) (sometimes foll by on) to sustain the sound of (a note) throughout its specified duration:
to hold on a semibreve for its full value.
of drugs:
to be in possession of illegal drugs.
(intr):
1. to remain or continue in a specified state, relation, etc.:
Hold still while I take your picture.
2. to remain fast; adhere; cling:
Will this button hold?
3. to keep or maintain a grasp on something.
4. to maintain one's position against opposition; continue in resistance.
5. to agree or side (usually followed by with):
to hold with new methods.
6. to hold property by some tenure; derive title (usually followed by by, from, in, or of).
7. to remain attached, faithful, or steadfast (usually followed by to):
to hold to one's purpose.
8. to remain valid; be in force:
The rule does not hold.
9. to refrain or forbear (usually used imperatively).
10. to remain fast or unbroken:
that cable won't hold much longer.
11. (of the weather) to remain dry and bright:
how long will the weather hold?
12. to remain relevant, valid, or true:
the old philosophies don't hold nowadays.
13. to continue to go:
hold on one's way.
14. to maintain position; refuse to give ground:
the defensive line is holding.
15. to continue in the same way or to the same degree; last:
hopes the weather will hold
—often used with up.
16. to derive right or title —often used with of or from:
lands held of the Crown.
17. to be or remain valid; apply:
the rule holds in most cases
—often used in the phrase "hold true."
18. to maintain a grasp on something; remain fastened to something:
the anchor held in the rough sea.
19. to go ahead as one has been going:
held south for several miles.
20. to bear or carry oneself:
asked him to hold still.
21. to forbear an intended or threatened action; halt, pause
—often used as a command.
22. to stop counting during a countdown.
slang:
to have illicit drug material in one's possession.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English holden,Old English h(e)aldan; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Norse halda,Old Saxon, Gothic haldan,Old High German haltan (German halten). Dictionary 2: Old English healdan; related to Old Norse halla, Gothic haldan, German halten. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use of hold: Verb: before the 12th century. Noun (1): 14th century. Noun (2): 1591. History and Etymology for hold: Verb and Noun (1): Middle English holden, going back to Old English healdan, going back to Germanic *hald-a-, whence also Old High German haltan "to protect, guard, hold," Old Saxon haldan, Old Norse halda, Gothic haldan "to tend, graze (cattle)"; perhaps, if -d- (going back to Indo-European *-dh-) is a root extension with resultative meaning, a derivative from the Indo-European base *kel- "drive, urge" (whence Greek kelésthai "to urge, exhort"), with sense shift from "pasture" to "keep, protect" to "hold" — more at accelerate. Noun (2): alteration of hole. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.