intransitive. To stand (in various senses).

To make a hostile stand, to resist, withstand.

A set of games (usually three or five), the last of which is played to decide between the opponents… to hold out rubbers: to hold one's own, keep…

intransitive. To persist in opposition or resistance against; to refuse to yield or comply with; to resist, hold out. Also transitive with it.

intransitive. To maintain resistance, remain unsubdued; to continue, endure, persist, last. (Also formerly †to hold it out in same sense.)

With emphasis or contextual colouring. To stand one's ground, stand firm (as opposed to fleeing or budging). Now rare.

to stand one's ground: to maintain one's position against attack or opposition (literal and figurative); to refuse to yield or compromise in the…

intransitive. To continue to resist; to hold out.

Hence at a brush, at the first brush, †to stand brush; ator after the first brush: at or after the first encounter or meeting.