hold
n 1: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he
has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold
on the railing" [syn: {clasp}, {clench}, {clutch}, {clutches},
{grasp}, {grip}]
2: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or
magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting
practices" [syn: {appreciation}, {grasp}]
3: power by which something or someone is affected or
dominated: "he has a hold over them"
4: time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay
caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the
action" [syn: {delay}, {time lag}, {postponement}, {wait}]
5: a state of confinement (usually for a short time; "the
prisoner is on hold"; "he is in the custody of police")
[syn: {detention}, {custody}]
6: (archaic) a stronghold
7: a cell in a jail or prison [syn: {keep}]
8: the part of an object designed to be held in order to use or
move it [syn: {handle}, {grip}, {handgrip}]
9: the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo [syn: {cargo
area}, {cargo deck}, {storage area}]
v 1: organize or be responsible for; "hold a reception," "have,
throw, or make a party", "give a course", etc. [syn: {throw},
{have}, {make}, {give}]
2: keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep
clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a
lady" [syn: {keep}, {maintain}]
3: have or hold in one's hands; "Hold this bowl for a moment,
please"; also metaphorically: "A crazy idea took hold of
him" [syn: {take hold}] [ant: {let go of}]
4: to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
"This holds the local until the express passengers change
trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the
stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a
detention center"; 'The terrorists held the journalists
for ransom" [syn: {restrain}, {confine}]
5: have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears
the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for
almost a decade" [syn: {bear}]
6: have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense:
"She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful
daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"
[syn: {have}, {have got}]
7: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake" "hold
your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
[syn: {control}, {hold in}, {contain}, {check}, {curb}, {moderate}]
8: keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view; "take for
granted"; "view as important"; "hold these truths to be
self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible" [syn: {deem},
{view as}, {take for}]
9: contain or hold; have within: "The jar carries wine"; "The
canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
[syn: {bear}, {carry}, {contain}]
10: remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The
weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
11: maintain; as of a theory, thoughts, or feelings; "bear a
grudge"; "hold a grudge" [syn: {harbor}, {harbour}, {entertain},
{nurse}]
12: hold on to [syn: {reserve}, {retain}]
13: assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people
are inherently good"
14: keep in one's possession [syn: {retain}, {keep back}, {hold
back}]
15: remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas"
16: be the support of; "The beam holds up the roof"; "He
supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam";
"What's holding that mirror?"; also metaphorically: "Her
efforts support us morally" [syn: {support}, {sustain}, {hold
up}]
17: hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience";
"This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience
spellbound"
18: support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head
high"; "He carried himself upright" [syn: {carry}, {bear}]
19: keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"
20: have room for; hold without crowding; "This hotel can
accommodate 250 guests"; "The theater admits 300 people";
"The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people" [syn: {accommodate},
{admit}]
21: be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take
all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon" [syn: {contain},
{take}]
22: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
[syn: {prevail}, {obtain}]
23: take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The
dissatisfied students held the President's office for
almost a week"
24: protect against a challenge or attack: "Hold that position
behind the trees!" "Hold the bridge against the enemy's
attacks" [syn: {defend}, {guard}]
25: declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; " judge held
that the defendant was innocent" [syn: {declare}, {adjudge}]
26: bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a
contract' "I'll hold you by your promise" [syn: {oblige},
{bind}]
27: have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many
surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable
advise"
28: cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress";
"halt the presses" [syn: {halt}, {arrest}]
29: cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held
her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold
one's nose"
30: drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his
liquor" [syn: {carry}]
31: be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply
to you!" "This theory holds for all irrational numbers";
"The same rules go for everyone" [syn: {apply}, {go for}]
32: arrange for and reserve in advance; "reserve a seat on a
flight"; "We booked tickets to the show"; "please hold a
table at Maxim's" [syn: {reserve}, {book}]
33: resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied
public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the
greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held" [syn: {defy},
{withstand}, {hold up}]
34: keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
35: stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office
while he is in a meeting"
36: aim, point, or direct: "Hold the fire extinguisher directly
on the flames"