to have or keep (an object) with or within the hands, arms, etc; clasp
(tr)
to support or bear
to hold a drowning man's head above water
to maintain or be maintained in a specified state or condition
to hold one's emotions in check; hold firm
(tr)
to set aside or reserve
they will hold our tickets until tomorrow
(when intr, usually used in commands)
to restrain or be restrained from motion, action, departure, etc
hold that man until the police come
(intr)
to remain fast or unbroken
that cable won't hold much longer
(intr)
(of the weather) to remain dry and bright
how long will the weather hold?
(tr)
to keep the attention of
her singing held the audience
(tr)
to engage in or carry on
to hold a meeting
(tr)
to have the ownership, possession, etc, of
he holds a law degree from London; who's holding the ace of spades?
(tr)
to have the use of or responsibility for
to hold the office of director
(tr)
to have the space or capacity for
the carton will hold only eight books
(tr)
to be able to control the outward effects of drinking beer, spirits, etc
he can hold his drink well
(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; takes a clause as object)
to claim
he holds that the theory is incorrect
(intr)
to remain relevant, valid, or true
the old philosophies don't hold nowadays
(tr)
to keep in the mind
to hold affection for someone
(tr)
to regard or consider in a specified manner
I hold him very dear
(tr)
to guard or defend successfully
hold the fort against the attack
(intr)
to continue to go
hold on one's way
(sometimes foll by on) music
to sustain the sound of (a note) throughout its specified duration
to hold on a semibreve for its full value
(tr) computing
to retain (data) in a storage device after copying onto another storage device or onto another location in the same device
Compare clear (def. 49)
(tr)
to be in possession of illegal drugs
hold for or hold good for
to apply or be relevant to
the same rules hold for everyone
holding thumbs Southern African
holding the thumb of one hand with the other, in the hope of bringing good luck
hold it!
- stop! wait!
- stay in the same position! as when being photographed
hold one's head high
to conduct oneself in a proud and confident manner
hold one's own
to maintain one's situation or position esp in spite of opposition or difficulty
hold one's peace or hold one's tongue
to keep silent
hold water
to prove credible, logical, or consistent
there is no holding him
he is so spirited or resolute that he cannot be restrained
