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(), n.[D. hol hole, hollow. See Hole.] (Naut.) The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed. Hold v. t.[imp. & p. p.Held (); p. pr. & vb. n.Holding. Holden (), p. p., is obs. in elegant writing, though still used in legal language.] [OE. haldan, D. houden, OHG. hoten, Icel. halda, Dan. holde, Sw. hlla, Goth. haldan to feed, tend (the cattle); of unknown origin. Gf. Avast, Halt, Hod.] 1. 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. The loops held one curtain to another. Ex. xxxvi. 12. Thy right hand shall hold me. Ps. cxxxix. 10. They all hold swords, being expert in war. Cant. iii. 8. In vain he seeks, that having can not hold. Spenser. France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth, Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold. Shak. 2. To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to Hold v. i.In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence: 1. Not to move; to halt; to stop; -- mostly in the imperative. And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!" Shak. 2. Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued. Our force by land hath nobly held. Shak. 3. Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist. While our obedience holds. Milton. The rule holds in land as all other commodities. Locke. 4. Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; -- often with with, to, or for. He will hold to the one and despise the other. Matt. vi. 24 5. To restrain one's self; to refrain. His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping, but his eyes rebelled. Dryden. 6. To derive right or title; -- generally with of. My crown is absolute, and holds of none. Dryden. His imagination holds immediately from nature. Hazlitt. Hold on! Hol Hold (), n. 1. 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. Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold. Chaucer. Thou should'st lay hold upon him. B. Jonson. My soul took hold on thee. Addison. Take fast hold of instruction. Pror. iv. 13. 2. The authority or ground to take or keep; claim. The law hath yet another hold on you. Shak. 3. Binding power and influence. Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of. Tillotson. 4. Something that may be grasped; means of support. If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall. Bacon. 5. A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard. They . . . put them in hold unto the next day. Acts. iv. 3. King Richard, he is in the mighty hold Of Bolingbroke. Shak. 6. A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold. Chauce Hold v. t. To hold up. To stop in order to rob, often with the demand to hold up the hands. [Colloq.] スポンサード リンク
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