–verb (used with object) < 3e8 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.	Music. to sustain (a note, chord, or rest).

18.	to omit from the usual order or combination: Give me a burger well-done—hold the pickle.

–verb (used without object)

19.	to remain or continue in a specified state, relation, etc.: Hold still while I take your picture.

20.	to remain fast; adhere; cling: Will this button hold?

21.	to keep or maintain a grasp on something.

22.	to maintain one's position against opposition; continue in resistance.

23.	to agree or side (usually fol. by with): to hold with new methods.

24.	1b9 to hold property by some tenure; derive title (usually fol. by by, from, in, or of).

25.	to remain attached, faithful, or steadfast (usually fol. by to): to hold to one's purpose.

105e

26.	to remain valid; be in force: The rule does not hold.

27.	to refrain or forbear (usually used imperatively).

–noun

28.	an act of holding fast by a grasp of the hand or by some other physical means; grasp; grip: Take hold. Do you have a hold on the rope?

29.	something to hold a thing by, as a handle; something to grasp, esp. for support.

30.	something that holds fast or supports something else.

31.	an order reserving something: to put a hold on a library book.

32.	Finance. a security purchased or recommended for long-term growth.

33.	a controlling force or dominating influence: to have a hold on a person.

34.	Wrestling. a method of seizing an opponent and keeping him in control: a toe hold.

35.	Music. fermata.

36.	a pause or delay, as in a continuing series: a hold in the movements of a dance.

37.	a prison or prison cell.

38.	a receptacle for something: a basket used as a hold for letters.

39.	Rocketry. a halt in the prelaunch countdown, either planned or unexpectedly called, to allow correction of one or more faults in the rocket or missile.

40.	a fortified place; stronghold.

41.	(on telephones with two or more lines) a feature that enables a person to maintain a connection on one line while answering another line.

—Verb phrases

42.

hold back, a. to restrain or check: Police held back the crowd. b. to retain possession of; keep back: He held back ten dollars. c. to refrain from revealing; withhold: to hold back information. d. to refrain from participating or engaging in some activity: He held back from joining in the singing because he felt depressed. e. Photography. dodge (def. 2).

3e8

43.	hold down, a. to restrain; check: Hold down that noise! b. to continue to hold and manage well: She held down that job for years.

44.	hold forth, a. to extend or offer; propose. b. to talk at great length; harangue: When we left, he was still holding forth on World War II.

45.	hold in, a. to restrain; check; curb. b. to contain oneself; exercise restraint: He was raging inside, but held himself in for fear of saying something he would regret.

46.	hold off, a. to keep at a distance; resist; repel. b. to postpone action; defer: If you hold off applying for a passport, you may not get one in time.

47.

hold on, a. to keep a firm grip on. b. to keep going; continue. c. to maintain, as one's opinion or position. d. to stop; halt (usually used imperatively): Hold on now! That isn't what I meant at all. e. to keep a telephone connection open by not hanging up the receiver: The operator asked us to hold on while the number we'd dialed was being checked.

48.

hold out, a. to present; offer. b. to stretch forth; extend: Hold out your hand. c. to continue to exist; last: Will the food hold out? d. to refuse to yield or submit: The defenders held out for weeks. e. to withhold something expected or due: He was suspected of holding out information important to the case.

49.	hold over, a. to keep for future consideration or action; postpone. b. to remain in possession or in office beyond the regular term. c. to remain beyond the arranged period: The movie was held over for a week. d. Music. to prolong (a tone) from one measure to the next.

50.

hold up, a. to offer; give: She held up his father as an example to follow. b. to present to notice; expose: to hold someone up to ridicule. c. to hinder; delay: The plane's departure was held up because of the storm. d. to stop by force in order to rob. e. to support; uphold: to hold up farm prices. f. to stop; halt: They held up at the gate. g. to maintain one's position or condition; endure: They held up through all their troubles.

51.	hold with, a. to be in agreement with; concur with: I don't hold with his pessimistic views. b. to approve of; condone: They won't hold with such a travesty of justice.

—Idioms

52.	get hold of, a. to get a hold on: Get hold of the railing. b. to communicate with, esp. by telephone: If she's not at home, try to get hold of her at the office.

53.	hold one's own. own (def. 9).

54.	hold one's peace. peace (def. 14).

55.	hold one's tongue. tongue (def. 33).

56.	hold water. water (def. 36).

57.	no holds barred, without limits, rules, or restraints.

58.	on hold, a. in or into a state of temporary interruption or suspension: The project will be put on hold until funds become available. b. Telecommunications. in or into a state of temporary interruption in a telephone connection: I'm putting you on hold to answer another call. Compare call waiting.