hold


hold (http://definr.com/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 being confined (usually for a short time); "his
        detention was politically motivated"; "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 appendage to an object that is 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, cargo hold, 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"; "The students keep me on my toes" [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: 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]
     8: contain or hold; have within: "The jar carries wine"; "The
        canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
        [syn: bear, carry, contain]
     9: 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]
     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: remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas"
     15: keep in one's possession [syn: retain, keep back, {hold
         back}]
     16: be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam
         holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while
         I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
         [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: keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"
     19: support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head
         high"; "He carried himself upright" [syn: carry, bear]
     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: have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many
         surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable
         advise"
     27: cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress";
         "halt the presses" [syn: halt, arrest]
     28: bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a
         contract' "I'll hold you by your promise" [syn: oblige,
          bind]
     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"; "he had drunk more than he could carry" [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"
     37: be in accord; be in agreement; "We agreed on the terms of
         the settlement"; "I can't agree with you!"; "I hold with
         those you say life is sacred"; "Both philosophers concord
         on this point" [syn: agree, concur, concord] [ant:
         disagree]