hold1
v.
(past and past part. held)
- grasp, carry, or support.
- keep in a specified position:
I held the door open for him.
▸remain secure or intact:
the boat's anchor would not hold.
- keep or detain.
▸have in one's possession.
▸have or occupy (a job or position).
▸(in sport) manage to achieve a draw against.
▸have in store:
I don't know what the future holds.
- continue to follow (a course).
▸stay or cause to stay at a certain value or level.
▸
(hold to)
refuse to abandon or change (a principle).
▸
(hold someone to)
cause someone to adhere to (a commitment).
▸be or remain valid or available:
I'll have that coffee now, if the offer still holds.
- contain or be capable of containing.
▸be able to drink (a reasonable amount of alcohol) without suffering ill effects.
- have (a belief or opinion).
▸
(
hold someone/thing in)
regard someone or something with (a specified feeling):
the speed limit is held in contempt.
▸consider to be responsible for a situation.
▸(of a judge or court) rule; decide:
the Court held that the public sector was covered by the directive.
- keep or reserve.
▸maintain (a telephone connection).
- prevent from going ahead or occurring.
▸N. Amer. informal refrain from adding or using.
▸
(hold it)
informal wait or stop doing something.
- arrange and take part in (a meeting or conversation).
n.
- a grip.
- a handhold.
- a degree of power or control.
Phrase
Phrase verbal
Derivative
Etymology
OE haldan, healdan, of Gmc origin.
hold2
n.
a storage space in the lower part of a ship or aircraft.
Etymology
C16: from obs. holl, from OE hol (see hole); the -d was added by assoc. with hold1.