- OE. haldan, D. houden, OHG. hoten, Icel. halda, Dan. holde, Sw. hållaGoth. haldan to feed, tend (the cattle); of unknown origin. Gf. AvastHaltHod
- 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.Thy right hand shall hold me.They all hold swords, being expert in war.In vain he seeks, that having can not hold.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.
- To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire.
- To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.This noble merchant held a noble house.Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute.And now the strand, and now the plain, they held.
- To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.We can not hold mortality's strong hand.Death! what do'st? O, hold thy blow.He had not sufficient judgment and self-command to hold his tongue.
- To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.Hold not thy peace, and be not still.Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course.
- To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.I would hold more talk with thee.
- To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.Broken cisterns that can hold no water.One sees more devils than vast hell can hold.
- To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.But still he held his purpose to depart.
- To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.I hold him but a fool.I shall never hold that man my friend.The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
- To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.Let him hold his fingers thus.
