holdv.

Brit.

/həʊld/, U.S.

/hoʊld/

Inflections: Past tense held; past participle held, (archaic) holden

/ˈhəʊld(ə)n/;

Forms: 1. Present stem. a.

α. Old English–1600s hald (Anglian and northern), Middle English ald, 1500s hawd, 1500s–1800s hauld (Scottish), 1500s– had, 1500s– haud, 1500s– hod (English regional (northern)). a900 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 874 Miercna rice to haldanne.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark v. 4 Nænig monn mæhte hine halda.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 41 Haldeð broþerreddene eow bitwenen.a1225 Juliana 47 Hu derst tu halde me?a1300 Cursor Mundi 28353 I þat cuth na mesur hald.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4034 Aiþer might þam ald. ▸ c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 31 And ald houshold oponly.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 514 To hald þat þai forspokyn haid. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 112 Micht non him hawd. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 110 Quhy wald thow hald that will away?1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 15 Ane pennyworth to had.1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 29 Twa good pocks..The t'ane to had the grots The ither to had the meal.1787 R. Burns Poems (new ed.) 323 I'm as blythe that hauds his pleugh.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) ii. 34 Nought cou'd hald them.

β. Middle English hoold, Middle English old, Middle English–1600s hould, Middle English– hold. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 161 Hie sullen weie holden.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 460 Ych hym holde vaste.c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) v. 119 We most holde [MS. Digby 145 (1532) houlde] it for vndouted.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11648 Hold hit onone!1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vi. sig. I^v Who maie holde that will awaie.

γ. Old English–Middle English heald- (West Saxon and southern), Middle English hæld-, Middle English held-, Middle English hyald- (Kent), Middle English hyeald- (Kent), Middle English hyeld- (Kent). 971 Blickl. Hom. 13 We..his bebodu healdan.c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 224 Heald hy mid þe.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 31 Heald þin cunde.a1275 Prov. Ælfred 620 in Old Eng. Misc. 136 Þenne miȝt þu þi lond mit frendchipe helden.13.. Coer de L. 2340 Al my lond I will of him held. c1315Healde [see sense 23c]. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 27 Zome þet me hyelde guode men.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 145 God of huam we hyealdeþ alle.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 220 [He] hyalde hit wyle þerhuyle hit ilest.

b. 2nd singular Old English hieltst, Old English hyltst, Middle English alst, Middle English haldes (northern), Middle English halds (northern), Middle English halst, Middle English– holdest. a1175 Cott. Hom. 233 Hlaford..þe alste [= halst þe] hefenen þrimsettles.a1300 Cursor Mundi 2655 If þou halds mi techeyng.c1315 Shoreham 90 Ȝef thou hys [hestes] halst man. c. 3rd singular Old English hęlt, Old English hielt, Old English hilt, Old English hylt, Middle English alt, Middle English haldes (northern), Middle English halds (northern), Middle English halt, Middle English halth, Middle English holt, Middle English– holdeth, 1500s– holds. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 220 Se wisa hilt his spræce.970 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. III. 466 Afene stream healt ðone norþ ende.c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 198 Sio..helt þa lendenbrædan.c1300 Beket 1614 He halth me the meste wrecche.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 924 Quo-so his alt him bi agt.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 259 Vor huo þet halt ald man uor child: he hine halt uor fol.c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 53 And halt [v.r. holte] his feeste so solempne.c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxvii. 270 Prestre Iohn holt fulle gret Lond. 2. Past tense.

α. Old English hiold, Old English–Middle English heold, Old English– held, Middle English heeld, Middle English heild, Middle English hel, Middle English helt, Middle English hield, Middle English hold, Middle English hueld, Middle English huld, Middle English hyllde, Middle English–1500s hild, Middle English–1500s hyld. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care Pref. 4 Ure ieldran ða þe ðas stowa ær hioldon.c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 46 Judei..heoldon heora earan.a1132 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1123 Fela oðre..helden here castles him to geanes.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 165 Ðu helde mi riht hond.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Eue heold..long tale wið þe neddre.c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 19/13 [The] taper..þat heo huld in hire hond. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. ii. 2 Laȝhing I heeld errour.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 408 Þe seuend o werk he hild [Fairf. 14 held, Trin. Cambr. helde] him still.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6038 Langer his forward heild he noght.c1400 St. Alexius (Cott.) 315 He hyllde his hand so faste.c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 724 Seynt Wultrud hold hurr' ryȝt wel afrayde.c1480 (a1400) St. Lawrence 724 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 423 Mony feyndis hyld þare vay.1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. kvij/1 Thydolle..helde in his ryght honde a grete keye.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iv. 64 Thus hilde the kynge that feeste.1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 40 He hilde himselfe still vnder his fathers obedience.a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) v. v. 64 I held the Sword.1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 93 A thing that thou heldest in thy hand.

β. Middle English hulte.

γ. Middle English holdede. c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 602 [He] hulte hym styll as he nouȝt rouȝt.c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 937 His hond..so hulte he.?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 89 The sonne of Mithridatis holdede that realme by xliij. yere.

3. Past participle.

α. Old English–Middle English gehalden, Old English–Middle English halden, Middle English alden, Middle English halden, Middle English haldyn, Middle English ihalden, Middle English–1500s haldin, 1500s haldine (Scottish), 1500s haulden, 1800s hadden (Scottish), 1800s hodden (northern). c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. ix. 17 Æd-gædre biðon gehalden.a1175 Cott. Hom. 229 Þat naman ne mai bien ȝehalden.a1300 Cursor Mundi 28470 I haue halden.1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) v. xiv. 80 The feste..is halden in this wyse.1558 Maitland Wynning of Calice viii, in Sibbald Chron. Scot. Poetry (1802) III. 94 Be ilk man haulden in reverence.c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 11 The Parliament to be haldin in Edinburgh.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 37 Lands haldin be the heire.1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. Sc. He's ower fou hadden.

β. Middle English holdin, Middle English holdun, Middle English -holdyn, Middle English i-holden, Middle English i-holdyn, Middle English olden, Middle English y-holden, Middle English– holden. a1240 Lofsong in Cott. Hom. 205 Vuele i-holden treouðe.c1320 Cast. Love 266 That never ȝet i-holdyn nes.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2040 Holden harde in prisun.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 281 Alle..Ben holden..to helpe þe to restitue.1411 Rolls Parl. III. 650/1 At the last Parlement..holden at Westm[inster].?1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. E4 Ych am yholden by charite to parte with hym of these goodes.1868 J. R. Lowell Wind-harp in Under Willows 5 Only caught for the moment and holden.

γ. Old English gehealden, Old English healden, Middle English ihealden, Middle English–1500s helden. c1000 [see sense 6a]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9504 He..helden had þir laghes tuin.

δ. Middle English halde, Middle English halt, Middle English hold, Middle English holde, Middle English ihalde, Middle English yhealde, Middle English yholde, 1500s hald (Scottish). c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8242 Þou hast halde þer lond wyþ wrong.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 165 Þe hestes..huerto hi byeþ y-hyealde.c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 168 Seyde he had holde his day.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. iv. 269 For a man yholde.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10493 I out of chirche..am don & for cursed holde.a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 32 Ye are moche holde to youre God.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xii. iv. 9 Ane rych enornament Of cleyr Phebus, that was his grandschir hald.

ε. 1500s helde, 1500s hild, 1500s– held. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 24 The Shire-Court..is held and kept in the City of Chichester.1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ix. 142 If he had hild himselfe to that which he sayth.1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. I3 Ô let it not be hild [rhymes kill'd, fulfill'd] Poore womens faults.a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 44 How long hath this possession held the man.1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iv. ii. iii. 459 To be held and chewed in the mouth.1893 Field 11 Feb. 190/3 Their quarry got ‘held’ in a bit of bog.

ζ. 1500s–1600s holded, 1800s hoddit (dialect). 1590 L. Lloyd First Pt. Diall of Daies 31 Which day amongst the antient Romans was holded a fortunate day for marriage.1690 B. Church Let. 27 Nov. in Entertaining Passages Philip's War (1716) ii. 78 A Court..which was holded before I came home.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: A Common Germanic reduplicated strong verb Old English haldan, healdan, past tense heold, participle halden, healden, corresponding to Old Frisian halda, helt, halden, Old Saxon haldan, held, gihaldan (Middle Low German holden, Middle Dutch houden), Old High German halten, hialt, gehaltan (German halten, hielt, gehalten), Old Norse halda, helt, held-, haldenn, Gothic haldan, haihald, haldans. The Anglian form haldan remained in the north as hald, hauld, haud, but regularly gave in midland and general English hold; the West Saxon healdan gave in the south a present stem heald, hæld, hyald, held in Middle English The 2nd and 3rd person singular had often umlaut and contraction in Old English and early Middle English The past tense Old English heold ( < reduplicated *hehold) became heeld, held, dialect hield, hyld, huld/-y-/; rarely, with weak ending, hulte, holdede, in Middle English The past participle became holden, northern halden (hauden, hadden), southern healden, helden; also, with loss of suffix, yhalde, yholde, holde, etc.; in 16th cent. holden began to be displaced by held from the past tense, and is now archaic, but preserved by its use in legal and formal language; weak forms holded, hoddit, are frequent from 16th cent. in dialect or individual use.

Signification.In Gothic, haldan is recorded only in the sense ‘to watch over, keep charge of, keep, herd, pasture (cattle)’. (Cf. the derivative behold v. = hold in observation.) This is generally accepted as the original sense in the Teutonic languages (cf. Grimm, s.v. Halten, Verwijs & Verdam Middelndl. Wbk. s.v. Houden), whence have arisen the senses, ‘to rule (people), guard, defend, keep from getting away or falling, preserve, reserve, keep possession of, possess, occupy, contain, detain, entertain, retain, maintain, sustain’, in which it is now used. In some of these hold covers the same conceptual grounds as keep (which has superseded it in reference to cattle), in others it is a stronger synonym of have. But its typical current sense is ‘to have or keep in one's grasp’; uses into which this notion does not enter, literally or figuratively, having mostly become obsolete. Hence it is the English equivalent of Latin tenēre, French tenir, and so of contain, retain, etc., as above. The verb had already a wide development of sense in Old English, as far as we can go back; uses akin to the Gothic are here placed as sense 1.

I. Transitive senses.

†1.

a. To keep watch over, keep in charge, herd, ‘keep’ (sheep, etc.); to rule (men). Only in Old English and early Middle English Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > rule or government > rule or govern [verb (transitive)]

steera900

hold971

wieldOE

warda1000

redeOE

wisc1000

i-weldeOE

rightlecheOE

rightOE

raima1325

governc1325

guyc1330

rulea1387

justicec1390

rekea1400

reigna1413

lorda1450

earlc1450

seignoryc1475

over-govern1485

overrulec1488

emperyc1503

gubern?a1505

signorize1594

sway1613

gubernate1623

overlead1720

belord1858

prime minister1906

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]

pindeOE

steerc950

hold971

forbidc1000

withstewc1175

withholdc1200

stewa1225

crempa1250

bistintc1300

i-stillc1315

withdraw1340

entemperc1380

rebukec1380

forfenda1382

refraina1382

refrainc1390

restraina1393

restayc1400

retainc1415

to hold abackc1440

overholda1450

reclaim?c1450

revokec1450

bedwynge1480

sniba1500

repressa1525

rein1531

inhibit1535

to keep back1535

cohibit1544

reprimec1550

lithe1552

to rein up1574

check1581

embridle1583

to rein in1593

retrench1594

refrenate1599

to hold back1600

snip1601

becheck1605

sneap1611

trasha1616

supersede1645

reprimand1689

snape1691

to clap a guy on1814

to pull up1861

to pull in1893

withstrain1904

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)]

hold971

witec1000

ward?a1035

looklOE

bewakec1175

getec1175

wakec1175

i-witea1240

forelook1340

watch?a1400

to watch over——1526

award?c1550

guard1582

to wait over ——1659

shepherd1885

watchdog1902

warden1910

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)]

hold971

yemeOE

biwitc1000

keepa1325

wait1362

tentc1400

attendc1420

to take guard1426

tend?1521

to have the care of1579

to have, take, give (the) charge of1611

mind1640

to have, take in charge1665

tutor1682

attend1796

shepherda1822

mother1851

971 Blickl. Hom. 45 Þære heorde þe hi ær Gode healdan sceoldan.

c1000 Ælfric Genesis iv. 9 Sceolde ic minne broþor healdon?

c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxvii. 13 Þine gebroþru healdaþ scep on Sichima.

c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 230 Se ðe hylt Israhel.

c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 382 Ða weardas heoldon þæs cwearternes duru.

c1050 Laws of Cnut (Schmid) i. c. 20 Þe he his men rihtlice healde.

a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1014 Gif he hi rihtlicor healdan wolde.

a1175 Cott. Hom. 219 He halt mid his mihte hefene and eorðe.

†b. To guard, defend, preserve (from hurt).

ΚΠ

c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) cxx. 4 Se þe sceal healdan nu Israela folc utan wið feondum [L. qui custodit Israel].

c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 7225 ‘God’, he seyd, ‘fader almiȝt, Þat..heldest Daniel fram þe lyoun, Saue me fram þis foule dragoun’.

a. To keep from getting away; to keep fast, grasp.Often with adverb complement, as hold fast; see also Phrasal verbs to hold one's sides: to press the hands against the sides, as in excessive laughter.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)]

holdc1000

takec1225

withhold1513

the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > laugh convulsively or immoderately

chuckle1598

to split (also break, burst, etc.) one's sides1598

to die with, or of laughing1609

to hold one's sides1609

to laugh till (also until) one cries1611

split1688

to burst one's sides1712

shake1729

to shake one's sides1736

to laugh oneself sick (also silly)1773

roll1819

to laugh one's head off1871

to break up1895

to fall about1918

pee1946

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 110 Iacob heold þone yldran broðer Esau be ðam fet.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12352 Ælc mid his honde heold his iuere.

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xviii. 123 Joab helde the chynne of Amasa as though he wold kysse hym.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lviii. 85 The same decoction, holden and kept in the mouth.

1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 378, in Wks. (1931) I. 156 Ane quoif of gold, to heild his hair.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. iii. 62 Lay hold vpon him, Priam hold him fast.

1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Laughter holding both his sides.

1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 43 I continued holding her hand.

1892 Chambers's Jrnl. 3 Sept. 561/2 A..boy rushed up..to hold the rector's horse.

b. Cricket. To catch (a ball): implying a difficult or skilful catch.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > field [verb (transitive)] > catch

to catch out1712

hold1752

catch1789

take1836

pouch1910

1752 Game at Cricket in New Universal Mag. Nov. 581/2 If the ball be held before she touches ground, though she be hugg’d to the body, it’s out.

1868 Baily's Monthly Mag. July 127 Mr. Miles would have got ten wickets had there been any man in the field capable of holding a catch.

1882 Daily Tel. 24 June Hornby drove Giffen hard to mid-on, where Bannerman held the ball cleverly.

1903 G. L. Jessop in H. G. Hutchinson Cricket v. 130 ‘Dolly’ catches are much more difficult to hold than those from hard drives.

c. Sport colloquial. To prove a match for, hold one's own against.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > be equal with

hold1883

tie1888

1883 Times 22 Oct. 10/2 It seems likely that she holds all the horses that ran in the Cesarewitch safe enough.

1891 Sat. Rev. 10 Oct. 412/1 On the more level slope he begins to hold his pursuer.

1893 Sat. Rev. 25 Mar. 323/1 Oxford rowed a slower stroke..than their opponents, and yet appeared to hold them fairly easily from post to finish.

d. To keep back, detain, delay.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]

forslowc888

eldc897

forsita940

gele971

lengOE

drilla1300

delayc1300

onfrestc1300

tarryc1320

jornc1330

dretchc1380

defer1382

forbida1387

to put offa1387

to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393

dilate1399

fordrawa1400

to put overc1410

latch?c1422

adjournc1425

prolongc1425

proloynec1425

rejournc1425

to put in respite1428

sleuthc1430

respitea1450

prorogue1453

refer1466

sleep1470

supersede1482

respectc1487

postpone1496

overseta1500

respett1500

enjourna1513

relong1523

retract1524

tarde1524

track1524

to fode forth1525

tract1527

protract1528

further1529

to make stay of1530

surcease1530

prorogate1534

to fay upon longc1540

linger1543

retard?1543

slake1544

procrastine1548

reprieve1548

remit1550

suspense1556

leave1559

shiftc1562

suspend1566

procrastinate1569

dally1574

post1577

to hold off1580

drift1584

loiter1589

postpose1598

to take one's (own) timea1602

flag1602

slug1605

elong1610

belay1613

demur1613

tardya1616

to hang up1623

frist1637

disjourn1642

future1642

off1642

waive1653

superannuate1655

perendinate1656

stave1664

detard1675

remora1686

to put back1718

withhold1726

protract1737

to keep over1847

to hold over1853

laten1860

to lay over1885

hold1891

back-burner1975

1891 F. H. Smith Col. Carter 135 ‘Where did you get this?’ he asked, aghast. ‘From the carrier. It [sc. a letter] was held for postage.’

1904 N.Y. Times 20 Aug. 1 The railroad has issued an order..that trains shall not be held for the..taking of baggage after the regular time scheduled for stops has expired.

1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard viii. 203 Sneed was greeted by Sergeant Waugh, who jumped back to try and hold the lift for him.

e. To detain in custody, keep under arrest. Originally U.S.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > detain in custody

detain1485

restrain1491

hold1903

deport1909

1903 N.Y. Evening Post 19 Aug. The men were held for felonious assault, and the woman as a witness.

1906 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 14 June 1 If the New York insurance officials cannot be held for larceny, they might evidently be held for forgery or perjury.

1922 H. Titus Timber iii. 32 ‘Why did he arrest you?’ ‘Oh, I dropped a cigarette out here in summer an' started a fire,..an' he held me under the fire law.’

1966 J. Bingham Double Agent xii. 183 He spoke to the Maltese police inspector. ‘You would do me a personal favour if you would hold him for twenty-four hours.’

1972 J. Rathbone Trip Trap viii. 89 There were no convictions, but she had been held for questioning on three occasions.

f. Boxing. (See quot. 1954.)

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > box [verb (transitive)] > hold in grasp

weave1818

hold1922

1922 N. Clark How to Box xii. 191 It must be understood that it takes two to make a clinch, and unless both men are holding, the referee has not the power to call ‘break-away’.

1923 T. C. Wignall Story of Boxing 318 The referee shall have power to disqualify for..holding, butting, shouldering, [etc.].

1954 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. 53 Hold, to grasp an opponent with the hands—not permitted.

1960 Times 28 Sept. 16/7 The referee had to speak to both men for holding.

1961 Times 8 Mar. 17/3 Spinks appeared to be palming and holding so flagrantly.

a. To keep from falling, to sustain or support in or with the hand, arms, etc.: applicable to any degree of exertion, from that involved in holding up (see sense to hold up at Phrasal verbs) a heavy object, to that which does not differ from having in the hand, except by the mere implication of muscular action.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)]

to bear upeOE

underbearc950

bearOE

holdc1000

weighc1200

to hold up1297

upholda1300

sustainc1330

undersetc1330

comforta1382

underbear1382

upbear1390

sustaina1398

upkeepc1412

carrya1425

supporta1425

chargea1500

convey1514

avoke1529

confirm1542

stay1548

to carry up1570

bolster1581

lift1590

upstay1590

atlas1593

sustent1605

statuminatea1628

firm1646

appui1656

establish1664

shoulder1674

to keep up1681

upheave1729

withhold1769

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 538 Ealle..healdende palm-twigu on heora handum. [Cf. I. 90 Hæbbende heora palm-twigu on handa.]

c1290 St. Dunstan 13 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 19 Seint Dunstones moder taper..þat heo hald on hire hond.

a1300 Floriz & Bl. 746 His swerd fel of his hond..Ne miȝte he it holde.

c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2009 Another ymage That held a mirour in his hond.

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 939 Ten brode arowis hilde he there.

1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 25 Hold the basin high as you give water to ones handes.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. vi. 4 b Holding in hys hande a long staffe of silver.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 371 Muttering their prayers, holding a bundle of small Tameriske-twigs.

1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 191 My partner held good trumps.

1887 Times (Weekly ed.) 2 Sept. 14/3 Holding a brief for the National League.

1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid ii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 140 My wife..Holds our little Iulus before his father to see.

1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. Hold my book while I run back. The girl was holding the baby for her mother.

†b. figurative. To uphold, support, maintain. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > position or job > [verb (transitive)]

holdc1000

occupyc1375

fillc1475

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (intransitive)]

holdc1000

accede?a1475

to watch a person's back1974

c1000 Laws Æthelred v. c. 35 Utan ænne cyne-hlaford holdlice healdan.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 35 Þe heȝe men..þet hyealdeþ and sosteneþ iewes and þe caorsins.

c. In pregnant sense: To hold so as to keep in position, guide, control, or manage, as to hold the sceptre, the reins, the plough.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > have control over

aweldc1175

hold1577

countermand1590

society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > direct

rakeeOE

rule1340

demean?a1400

direct?1510

hold1577

mastermind1927

quarterback1943

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > so as to keep in position or control

hold1577

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 6 He customably vsed himselfe to hold the Plow.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D5^v Enraged wight, Whome great griefe made forgett the raines to hold Of reasons rule.

1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 49 Even as wee see Pilots..holding the Rudder.

1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes v. xi. 421 More fit..to handle a mattocke then to hold a musket.

†d. To sustain, bear, endure, ‘stand’ (some treatment). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > be subjected to or undergo an action > specifically of a person

havea1225

to go under ——a1400

lie1546

hold1592

undergo1600

stand1607

the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > adhere constantly or steadfastly to [verb (transitive)] > endure without giving way

tholec1175

suffera1387

outbear1530

to fight out1548

sustain1573

stand1575

hold1592

to stand out1600

to bide out1637

to stand for ——1896

tough1974

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] > resist > maintain resistance against

to stand before ——OE

bearOE

tholec1175

sustainc1330

last1340

suffera1387

support1483

outstand1571

hold1592

to hold outa1616

ridea1649

brunt1800

to stand up to1921

1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. C4^v The shoomaker cares not if his shooes hold the drawing on.

1606 W. Crashaw Falsificationum Romanarum A ij a If the matter will not hold plea, and if my proofe be not substantiall.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 80 Now humble as the ripest Mulberry, That will not hold the handling.

1664 E. Waller To Sir T. Higgins in Poems Their small gallies may not hold compare With our tall ships.

4. To keep (the body, or a member) in a particular position or attitude; to ‘carry’, sustain, bear.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > remain in (a place)

holda1387

keep1413

to stick to ——1539

the world > space > relative position > posture > place into or assume a posture [verb (transitive)] > hold a posture

holda1387

carry?1561

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 229 A man sittynge þeron..halt his riȝt hond as þouȝ he spake to þe peple.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4196 Godd hald ouer him his holi hand!

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 29^v An other holdeth his necke a wrye.

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 4 Holding thy eare close to the hollow ground.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe v. ii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Pp^v/1 Be not fearefull, for I hold my hands Before my mouth.

1885 D. Russell On Golden Hinges II. xi. 165 She held herself like a queen.

1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. I. iii. 52 She held her face averted.

1892 Longman's Mag. Jan. 230 She held her head as proudly as ever.

a. To have or keep within it; to retain (fluid, or the like), so that it does not run out; esp. to contain (with reference to amount or quantity); to be capable of containing, have capacity for.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > contain or have within [verb (transitive)]

holdc1000

takec1175

keep1340

harbour1362

containa1382

comprehend1393

comprise1483

carry1517

house1542

refrain1542

to fetch in1565

enharbour1596

inhold1614

reserve1614

the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > contain or have within [verb (transitive)] > be able to contain

holdc1000

receivec1425

contain1526

takea1637

c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 56 Ða wæter-fatu, sume heoldon twyfealde gemetu, sume þryfealde.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5924 Ne was in hus na vessel fre þat watur hild, o stan ne tre.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 54 That yle [Cycile] holt in compas about cccl frensche myles.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. ii. 13 Cisternes distried, that moun not holde watris.

c1475 Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Bk. (Egerton 1995) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 18 Put not thy mete..In-to thy Seler that thy salte halte.

1531–2 Act 23 Hen. VIII c. 4 §4 Euery barrell for bere shall conteine and holde .xxxvi. gallons.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 9 More diuels, then vast hell can holde .

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 217 He stored the Sloop as full as she could hold.

1736 H. Fielding Pasquin ii. 24 I'll make the House too hot to hold you.

1805 W. Saunders Treat. Mineral Waters (ed. 2) 225 The animal and vegetable matters which it holds in solution.

1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 i. 66 Peat holds water like a sponge.

1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xii Cannot the phaeton hold five?

1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. This jug holds two pints.

b. spec. Of a theatre: to have capacity for (frequently with reference to the size of a theatre's seating capacity expressed in terms of the takings).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > auditorium > [verb (transitive)] > have capacity for

hold1740

1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber xii. 240 Spectators, who may remember what Form the Drury-Lane Theatre stood in, about forty Years ago, before the old Patentee, to make it hold more Mony, took it in his Head to alter it.

1812 Dramatic Censor 1811 Apr. 218 Which..will, at the old prices, hold as much money as the modern excessively large Theatres.

1894 G. B. Shaw Let. 20 Mar. (1965) I. 421 The Avenue [theatre] holds, when full, £200.

1946 G. B. Shaw Matter with Ireland (1962) 13 It [sc. the theatre] held more money per square foot of ground than the classical Royal.

a. To have or keep as one's own absolutely or temporarily; to own, have as property; to be the owner, possessor, or tenant of; to be in possession or enjoyment of.to have and to hold: see have v. Phrases 3a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)]

holda855

haveeOE

feoffc1330

werec1330

possede1392

possess1394

to be seized (seised) of or with1477

get1611

rejoice1822

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)]

holda855

haveeOE

witec1000

at-holdc1175

withholdc1200

keepc1400

reserve?a1439

retain1449

detain1541

to stick to ——1560

contain1600

to make good1606

preserve1617

inhold1726

to hang on to1873

a855 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 611 Her Cynegils feng to rice..and heold xxxi wintra.

c897 [see α. forms].

c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) cxxii[i]. 1 Þu þe heofon-hamas healdest and wealdest [L. habitas in cælo].

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2225 Þatt illke kinesæte. Þatt dauið king hiss faderr held.

a1200 Moral Ode 55 in Trin. Coll. Hom. 221 Se þe aihte wile holde wel.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 14 If any Breton were fonden holdand lond.

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 38 Sir Simonye is of-sent to asseale þe Chartres, Þat Fals oþur Fauuel by eny [fyn] heolden.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) i. 4 Þe kyng..haldes grete and mykill land. For he haldes þe land of Hungary, Sauoy, Comany [etc.].

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. ii Syr Launcelot holdeth your quene and hath done longe.

1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. vi If an house be lette to a man to holde at wyll.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13697 Pirrus..Weddit þat worthi, & as wif held.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 148 By which he acquireth and holdeth a propriety in land, or goods.

1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 93 My Sovereign holds in ward my land.

1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 177 Farms are held on a variety of tenure.

1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. vii. 135 No man who taught the contrary was to be allowed to hold a benefice.

b. To possess, have, occupy (a position, office, quality, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > possess a condition or position

haveOE

hold1340

rejoicec1390

beara1393

possess?a1425

acquire1474

pack1925

society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > hold an office

occupyc1375

fillc1475

holdc1475

furnish1576

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 8129 If endlesnes any end moght hald, Þan war it endlesnes unproperly cald.

c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 174 Wheresoevere thou hoold residence.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 5 In dede þei hald not, ne do his office.

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. O4^v They may also lawfully hold superioritie ouer their brethren.

1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 242 He might well haue holden place with the worthiest.

1762 J. Beattie Wolf & Shepherds in T. Blacklock Coll. Orig. Poems Scotch Gentlemen 8 One, With whom wit holds the place of reason.

1809 E. A. Kendall Trav. Northern Parts U.S. I. v. 40 Their places, therefore, are practically holden during good behaviour.

1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. ii. 34 Doctor Grey, (he might hold the title by diploma for what I know..).

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 137 Catholics could hold rank up to that of colonel.

c. Const. of or from (the superior from whom the title to an estate or office is derived). Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > occupy or have a position from a superior

holdc1275

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14661 And aȝef heom sone al þis ærd. of him to heoldenne.

c1290 Beket 2000 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 163 Þe baronie al-so, Þat þou halst of him in chef.

1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 48 §1 The same Castelles..be holden of your Highnes in Chief as of youre Crowne.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) i. iii. 118 The Trust, the Office, I do hold of you.

a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover iv. iii. 137 in 3 New Playes (1655) I hold my Dukedom from you as your vassal.

1703 N. Rowe Ulysses iv. i I have learnt to hold My Life from none, but from the Gods who gave it.

1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) I. 68 It has been contended that the word feodum signifies land holden of a superior lord, by military or other services.

d. Military. To keep forcibly against an adversary, defend; to keep possession of, occupy.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold out or make stand [verb (intransitive)]

standOE

hold1154

to maintain one's owna1375

to hold or keep (one's) stalec1450

subsist1588

to hold out1769

society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold [verb (transitive)] > hold (a position, etc.)

hold1154

werec1330

maintaina1375

1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1135 And [he] held Execestre agenes him.

1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. (1576) 173 They tooke and held the Citie with force.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. iii. 163 To Bristow castle, which they say is held By Bushie, Bagot, and their complices.

1649 J. Taylor Wandering 13 The mayne Island is held for the Prince, by one Captaine..called Sir Iohn Greenvill.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 723 With what Arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of Deitie or Empire.

1867 J. B. Rose tr. Virgil Æneis 40 The foeman holds the wall.

1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xvii. 319 The bridge was held for some time..at last the French fled.

e. To occupy, be in (a place); also, in stronger sense, To remain in, retain possession or occupation of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)]

hold1297

occupyc1384

purprise1481

furnishc1500

people1597

possess1604

enharbour1613

tenant1670

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7166 He ber þe croune & huld þe deis mid oþer atil also.

13.. K. Alis. 1154 Alisaundre heold the deys.

a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F As if science held her seate Betweene the circled arches of thy browes.

1637 J. Milton Comus 4 The starre that bids the Shepheard fold, Now the top of heav'n doth hold.

1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule ii. i. 456 One who holds the very next Apartment.

1885 C. L. Pirkis Lady Lovelace II. xxix. 123 For the nonce lighter questions held his brain.

1892 Illustr. London News 7 May 559/3 His first piece..long held the boards.

f. figurative. Of disease, error, etc.: To have in its power, possess, affect, occupy.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11829 Ydropsi held him sua in threst.

1420 Proclam. Hen. V in Rymer Fœdera (1710) 917 Our sayd Father is holden wyth divers Sekeness.

1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus i. xviii, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 243 The detestable heresie of Arius, which helde their mindes of a longe time.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 118 Th' affliction of my minde amends, with which I feare a madnesse held me.

1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 122 A Feaver that held him for about a Fortnight.

1886 J. R. Seeley Short Hist. Napoleon I iv. § i. 118 The intoxication of the Marengo campaign still held him.

g. to hold the stage (or house): to command the attention of a theatre audience.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [verb (intransitive)] > command attention

to hold the stage (or house)1889

1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Hold the stage, to (theatrical), is said of an experienced actor who is fully at home on the stage, and always commands the attention of the audience.

1893 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang III. 331/2 To hold the stage, to have the chief place on the boards and the eye of an audience.

1916 To-day 22 July 368/1 You do not need to be a very experienced playgoer to know when an actress is holding a house.

1967 ‘La Meri’ Spanish Dancing (ed. 2) viii. 98 Many dancers assisted by only a pianist held the stage alone for the two hours of a complete evening's performance.

h. to hold the line: to maintain telephonic connection during a break in conversation. (Cf. to hold on 7 at Phrasal verbs.) Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate by telephone [verb (intransitive)] > keep connection

to hold on1892

to hold the line1912

to hang on1936

1912 M. Beerbohm Christmas Garland 6 It was with a certain sense of his rashness in the matter, therefore, that he now, with an air of feverishly ‘holding the line’, said ‘Oh, as to that.’

1915 Punch 10 Nov. 390/1 Such are some of the miseries of holding the line.

1931 P. G. Wodehouse Big Money i. 24 ‘Hold the line,’ he said in a low, strained voice.

a. To keep, preserve, retain; not to lose, let go, part with, or emit; to detain; to arrest, rivet the attention of. Also hold it!: stay as you are; do not go on!; steady on!

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep, maintain, or preserve

holdc1000

i-haldOE

keepc1175

withholdc1200

keepa1325

maintaina1375

preservea1393

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > hold the attention of

hold1577

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action!

stop1570

not so fasta1593

hold your horses!1843

to hold on1846

hold it!1926

hold everything!1930

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 17 Hig doð niwe win on niwe bytta, and ægðer byþ ge-healden [Lindisf. gehalden].

c1020 Rule St. Benet (Logeman) 98 Him sylfum na healdende of eallum.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 41 Þe blake clað..hald his heou betere.

1258 Proclam. Hen. III We senden ȝew þis writ..to halden a manges ȝew inehord.

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) x. vii. 378 Cole rake in asshes holdeth and kepyth fyre.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13409 ‘Quarfor’, said he, ‘þus has þou Halden þe god wine to now?’

1486 Bk. St. Albans C vij b If she holde it past the secunde day after, she shall be hoole.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 7^v But I holde you to long with commendation of that... I pray you let vs goe to dinner.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 333 Might..dive in as long as they could hold their breath.

1861 Temple Bar 3 335 Constant changes of scene and method hold the attention.

1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled II. i. xxiv. 130 She..found herself held by his eyes.

1926 A. Huxley Jesting Pilate iv. 262 That's good. Hold it.

1930 W. H. Auden Poems 23 Moisten the lips and start afresh. Hold it.

1948 M. Allingham More Work for Undertaker xiii. 160 Oh, I say, hold it... I don't think you ought to go as far as that.

1962 A. Christie Mirror Crack'd xv. 167 ‘That'll do. Hold it. We'll have one more... It looks smashing,’ said the photographer.

1973 E. Berckman Victorian Album 20 ‘Let's go and talk to her quickly, quickly—.’ ‘Hold it, darling,’ she interrupted.

b. With complement: To keep in a specified place, state, condition, or relation; to oblige to adhere to (a promise or the like: cf. 10).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep, maintain, or preserve > in a specified state, place, or relation

hold971

keepc1340

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to perform or adhere to

hold971

tiec1200

exact1564

enforce1647

confine1651

straiten1652

to tie down1692

to nail down1859

971 Blickl. Hom. 189 Þa heht Petrus and Paulus on bendum healdon.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Heald me þe wrache.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 524 Ȝe..haldeð [c1300 Otho habbeþ] me inne bende.

c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 339 Thus holdithe me my destenye a wrechche.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14405 Pharaon..þat þam in seruage held lang.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3183 Abraham..hald still þin arm And to þi sun do þou no harm.

1482 Monk of Evesham 26 Beyng holde in a certeyn stupour and wondyr of mynde.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8083 To hold hym in hope & hert hym the bettur.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 37^v Suche a rable of shoters..as wolde holde vs talkyng whyles tomorowe.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. iii. 194 His gracious Promise, which you might..haue held him to.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xxix. 271 The Captain is desirous to hold you to it.

1872 C. E. Maurice Life S. Langton iii. 213 John's army was held in check.

1892 Temple Bar Nov. 360 He was held at bay.

c. reflexive. To keep oneself; to adhere, remain, keep.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > keep oneself [verb (reflexive)]

holdc1230

containc1565

c1230 Hali Meid. 25 Moni halt him til an make.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 379 ‘Þe kyng’, he seyde, ‘of Engelond halt hym to hys bedde’.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 245 Holdeþ ȝow in vnyte.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10413 Quen þat he heild him fra hame.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6521 Moyses him hild awai.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lv. 187 Euery man praysed gretely Huon that he helde hym selfe so fermely.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxvi. 2 Holde the still a litle.

c1571 E. Campion Two Bks. Hist. Ireland (1963) ii. vii. 108 Richarde helde himselfe in Irelande.

1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 373 For thy, hald ȝow fra the Court.

1861 Temple Bar 1 340 They held themselves aloof from the popular current.

†d. To continue to occupy; to remain in (a place); not to move from or leave; to ‘keep’. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 623 She halt hire chambre.

a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 64 Had they holde the highe waye.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. iii. 84 The schippis haldand the deip see.

a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Biii^v Holding alway the chiefe strete of the town.

1795 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 477 If it be rainy, then the hare will hold the highways more than at any other time.

e. Hunting. To keep going; to lead or drive (hounds). Cf. 24.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > lead or drive hounds

run1883

hold1891

1891 Field 21 Nov. 792/2 We found Mark..holding the hounds up the common again.

1891 Field 19 Dec. 954/2 Laurance..held his hounds across the valley.

f. to hold the road: to continue to occupy the road; to keep to the road without skidding, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > movement of vehicles > move or go along [verb (intransitive)] > keep to road without skidding

to hold the road1926

1926 T. E. Lawrence Let. 27 Sept. (1938) 500 The S.S. 100 holds the road extraordinarily.

1971 P. D. James Shroud for Nightingale ii. 43 [She] wondered whether her small car would hold the road.

a. To keep together, to keep in being, existence, or operation, to carry on; to convoke and preside over (a meeting, assembly, council, or the like); to go through formally, perform (any proceeding or function); to keep, observe, celebrate (a festival); to carry on, sustain, or have (communication, intelligence, conversation); to keep (company, silence, etc.); to use (language) habitually or constantly; = have v. VI.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > practise or carry on [verb (transitive)]

doeOE

followOE

holda1100

found1340

exercec1374

enhaunta1382

usea1398

proceed1399

apply?c1400

practise?c1430

exercise1467

takea1500

plya1513

enure1549

prosecute1567

inurea1577

manage1579

to stand on ——1599

to carry on1638

cultivate1654

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] > keep up (a proceeding or performance)

haveOE

holda1100

the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)] > a festival, etc.

usea1250

holda1400

society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > meeting or assembling for common purpose > hold (a meeting) [verb (transitive)]

sit1635

hold1840

a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1075 Hi ne dorstan nan gefeoht healdan wið Willelm cynge.

a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1085 Her se cyng bær his corona and heold his hired.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 85 Sein[t] nicholas..þat wune heold to his liues ende.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 20 From ouwer compelin oðet Preciosa beo iseid. haldeð silence.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2379 Belin in Euerewic huld [c1300 Otho heold] eorlene husting.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13363 A bridale was þere on I halde.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10215 A mikel fest.. þat Iues held.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 6 I wyl holde you companye thyder.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 410 Ye king Eduuard..Come to Strevillyne with gret mengȝe For till hald yar ane assemble.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 2 The fendes helden a gret conseill.

a1535 T. More Hist. Edward V (1641) 3 The Parliament holden the thirtieth yeere of King Henry the Sixth.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. July 29 To holden chat with seely shepherds swayne.

1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 41 Had he held intelligence with the King of Granada.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. v. 87 Seamen..can hold Conversation in both Tongues.

1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. xix. 267 Any county, wherein the assises are held.

1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xxvi. 93 I pray thee hold Converse with me.

1840 J. Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. I. 91 The first meeting of the Corporation..was holden on the 13th of the ensuing July.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. vi. 667 Several opulent gentlemen were accused of holding conventicles.

b. Music. †(a) To perform (a particular part in concerted music); = bear v.¹ 17. Obsolete. (b) To sustain (a note, esp. in one part while the other parts move).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > harmonize [verb (transitive)] > sustain note

hold1885

1885 ‘Rita’ Like Dian's Kiss xxiv. 180 The vocal thunder, having terminated in a prolonged holding of the low E, is followed by loud applause.

1889 E. Prout Harmony xix. §501 A suspension may be very simply defined as a note of one chord held over another of which it forms no part.

1934 C. Lambert Music Ho! iii. 205 When a guitar hung in every negro barber's shop, and a client who was waiting would vamp about on the instrument until at a lucky trouvaile everyone would shout ‘Hold that chord’.

†9. To keep unbroken or inviolate; to observe, abide by (a command, vow, promise, faith, etc.); the opposite of to break or violate. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)]

yieldc825

behold971

hold971

keepc1000

at-holdc1175

takec1300

spare1387

observec1391

to stand by ——c1405

to stick by ——a1530

to stand to ——1537

971 Blickl. Hom. 35 We sceolan þa ten bebodu healdan.

971 Blickl. Hom. 45 Gif hi nellaþ healdan Godes æwe.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 89 Ne we ne moten halden moyses e.

1258 Proclam. Hen. III Þæt heo stedefæstliche healden and swerien to healden..þo isetnesses þæt beon imakede.

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 266 Feith ne trouth holdith she To freend ne felawe, bad or good.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10698 Hu Sco moght hir mari and hald hir vou.

c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 610 I aske nowe of the To holde covenaunte in this cas.

1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 449 I sall hald that I haue hecht.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 236 To Master Broome, you yet shall hold your word.

a1625 J. Fletcher Women Pleas'd v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ffffff2/2 'Tis fit ye hold your word, Sir.

10.

†a. To oblige, bind, constrain; in later use, chiefly in past participle holden. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something

holdc1275

piltc1275

constraina1340

strength1340

distrainc1374

compelc1380

makec1395

distressa1400

stressa1400

art?1406

putc1450

coerce1475

cohert1475

enforce1509

perforce1509

forcec1540

violent?1551

press1600

necessitate1601

rack1602

restrain1621

reduce1622

oblige1632

necessiate1709

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4716 Þe to fehte heom scolde halden.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) (1850) 4 Kings iv. 8 Ther was there a grete womman, that heelde hym, that he ete brede.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1443 Thanne were I holde to quyte thy laboure.

14.. T. Hoccleve Compl. Virgin 138 Thou art as moche, or more, holde him to hyde, Than Sem, þat helid his Fadir Noe.

?1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. E4^v And thus ys my brother yholde to done to me.

c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 44 His brother could not be haldin to ansuer any further in that mater.

1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 253 They could not view themselves as holden..to submit.

†b. to be holden: to be obliged, under obligation to (any one), to be beholden adj. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)]

shrive1338

to be boundc1360

to be holdena1375

to be obliged1398

oblige1548

obligate1955

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 317 To þis man & his meke wif most y am holde.

c1450 (a1393) J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Harl. 3490) iii. 374 Whereof to him in speciall above all other I am most holde.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 28 We be moche holden to you.

?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Avij^v Greatly am I now holdyn vnto the.

1666 S. Pepys Diary 9 Apr. (1972) VII. 95 So we..turned back, being holden to the gentleman.

c. to hold to bail: to bind or constrain by bail; see bail n.¹ 6.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > bailing or bail > bail or admit to bail [verb (transitive)] > bind by bail

to hold to bail1837

1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxv. 259 Pickwick and Tupman he had already held to bail.

1890 Times (Weekly ed.) 28 Feb. 2/3 [He] was wrongfully held to bail to be of good behaviour.

11.

Thesaurus »

Categories »

a. To keep back from action, hinder, prevent, restrain; reflexive to restrain oneself, refrain, forbear. Obsolete or archaic except in special phrases; spec.

b. To keep in, refrain from (speech, noise, etc.): see also to hold one's tongue at tongue n. 4c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)]

holdc897

forgoa1000

oversitOE

forbearc1200

letc1330

to let bec1385

to lay apart1526

refrain1528

to let pass1530

retainc1540

abstain1578

restrain1594

stay1599

nurture1627

withhold1650

waive1653

inhold1655

withstand1852

skip1961

c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 220 Ac se wisa hilt his spræce and bitt timan.

971 Blickl. Hom. 37 Þæt we us healdan..wiþ þa heafodlican leahtras.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiv. 16 Sothli her yȝen weren holdun, lest thei knewen him.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13647 He allan þat dos his will, And halds him fra dedis ill.

1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii. iii Who holdeth now me that wyth my foote I breke not thyn hede?

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 288 To suche poynte that thou maiest not hold vomityng.

1573 G. Gascoigne tr. Ariosto Supposes i. i, in Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 3 Holde thy talking nourse, and harken to me.

1643 Earl of Newcastle Declar. in Answer of Six Groundlesse Aspersions by Ld. Fairefax 8 Let them call them what they will, so they would hold their fingers from them.

1774 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. App., in Wks. (1859) I. 131 The only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant.

1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xxv. 312 I wish you'd hold your noise!

1891 Graphic Christm. No. 20/3 He had reluctantly held his fire, determined to wait till he could ‘mak siccar’.

c. to hold one's horses: used esp. in imperative ( hold your horses!) = be patient, hold on! originally U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > be patient [phrase]

hold your horses!1843

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action!

stop1570

not so fasta1593

hold your horses!1843

to hold on1846

hold it!1926

hold everything!1930

1843 J. S. Robb Streaks Squatter Life 24 Jest hold your hosses, boys—he'll come out directly.

1844 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 16 Sept. 241/4 Oh, hold your hosses, Squire. There's no use gettin' riled, no how.

1917 Woman's Home Compan. Nov. 58 Now Phebe..you just hold your hosses and speak a little slower.

1939 Chatelaine Oct. 43/4 Hold your horses, dear.

1943 J. L. Hunt & A. G. Pringle Service Slang 39 Hold your horses, hold the job until further orders. (Comes from the Artillery.)

1945 S. Lewis Cass Timberlane (1947) xl. 272 Hey, hold your horses, Cass. Don't get sore.

1967 N. Fitzgerald Affairs of Death vii. 119 ‘I'm going in to the station now,’ he said. ‘Hold your horses,’ Marr said. ‘The night's young.’

d. To keep (a person) from speaking; to prevent (a person) from being troublesome. North American colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking

to stop a person's mouthc1175

stilla1225

to keep ina1420

stifle1496

to knit up1530

to muzzle (up) the mouth1531

choke1533

muzzle?1542

to tie a person's tongue1544

tongue-tiea1555

silence1592

untongue1598

to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605

to bite in1608

gaga1616

to swear downa1616

to laugh down1616

stifle1621

to cry down1623

unworda1627

clamour1646

splint1648

to take down1656

snap1677

stick1708

shut1809

to shut up1814

to cough down1823

to scrape down1855

to howl down1872

extinguish1878

hold1901

shout1924

to pipe down1926

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > hold in check

bridleOE

tempera1050

chastec1230

to hold inc1300

straina1340

stintc1366

attemperc1380

restraina1387

rulea1391

ward1390

coarctc1400

obtemper?a1425

to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425

compesce1430

stent1488

coactc1520

repressa1525

compress1526

control1548

snaffle1555

temperatea1568

brank1574

halter1577

curb1588

shortena1599

to bear (a rein) upon1603

check1629

coerceate1657

bit1825

throttle1862

hold1901

1901 G. Ade 40 Mod. Fables 244 ‘And I guess that'll Hold you for a While,’ added the Biggest Boy in the Room.

1922 S. Lewis Babbitt v. 58 ‘I guess that'll hold you for a while, George!’ said Finkelstein.

1935 N. L. McClung Clearing in West xvii. 136 Maybe that would hold Miss Adams!

1965 ‘S. Woods’ Though I know she Lies xvi. 212 ‘That should hold him for a while,’ said Derek with satisfaction.

e. hold everything!: wait! take no action!

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action!

stop1570

not so fasta1593

hold your horses!1843

to hold on1846

hold it!1926

hold everything!1930

1930 in Amer. Speech 6 92.

1948 C. Day Lewis Otterbury Incident viii. 93 Hold everything now, this is the big bang coming.

1951 L. Z. Hobson Celebrity (1953) xi. 155 Hold everything; let's see.

12. To have or keep in the mind, entertain:

a. (a feeling, etc.) Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)]

holdOE

thinkOE

makea1400

carry1583

entertain1583

lodge1583

conceit?1589

reflect1611

braina1616

OE Beowulf 1954 Hio..hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15071 And for þere muchele luue þa heolde heore aldren.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Jan. 64 She..of my rurall musick holdeth scorne.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. ii. 17 Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 90 You hold too heynous a respect of greefe.

1637 P. Heylyn Briefe Answer Burton Pref. sig. Civ If they hold a Reverend esteeme of those who [etc.].

1802 J. Leyden Mermaid xlv That heart..Can hold no sympathy with mine.

1846 H. W. Torrens Remarks Uses Mil. Hist. 39 The first..who acknowledged the tactical theory and held great account of those who practised it.

b. (a belief, opinion, doctrine, etc.): To accept and entertain as true; to believe.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > accept as true, believe [verb (transitive)]

ylevec888

leve971

ween971

i-weneOE

takec1175

trowc1175

truth?c1250

thinka1275

believec1300

trustc1325

hold1340

trist1340

to give (one's) faith to (also unto)c1405

accept?c1430

admitc1449

credencea1529

to take a person at his (also her) word1535

credit1547

faith1576

to take a person's word1576

receive1581

creed1596

understand1751

Adam and Eve1925

buy1926

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 134 We þet þe riȝte byleaue hyealdeþ.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. lv^v/1 I holde the cristen fayth.

1579 S. Gosson Apol. Schoole of Abuse in Ephemerides Phialo f. 82^v Let me holde the same proposition still.

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 134 All the Egyptians holde opinion, that the Crocodile is a Diuinatour.

1667 Earl of Cardigan in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 9 The Church of England holds the three creeds as well as we.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe Contents i. iii. 181 It appears, that Aristotle also held the worlds Animation.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 102 Those who held most strongly the divine right of the people to choose their own ministers.

1892 Monist 2 162 Justified in holding this view.

c. With object clause: To be of opinion, think, consider, believe (that).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)]

ween971

holda1300

believec1325

judgec1325

feelc1380

supposea1387

conceivea1425

take1429

opinea1475

thinkc1480

supponea1500

esteem1507

opinion1555

intend?1577

meditate1585

opinionate1599

opiniate1624

arbitrate1637

apprehend1639

state1671

calculate1805

consider1830

fink1888

a1300 Sarmun xiii, in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 2 Ihc hold a fole þat he be.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2507 Þei helde heres was þe lond.

1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) i. v. 5 I holde nought that al be trewe that he seyth.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. xxii. 23 The Saduces which holde that there is no resurreccion.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. ii. 83 It is held, That Valour is the chiefest Vertue.

1771 S. Johnson Lett. to Mrs. Thrale 7 July She holds that both Frank and his master are much improved.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Ess. 1st Ser. i. 15 I hold..that the details..are altogether unhistorical.

d. With object and complement or extension: To think, consider, esteem, regard as. Const. with simple complement or (archaic) with as, for, or with infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as

telleOE

talec897

seeOE

letc1000

holdc1200

reckon1340

aima1382

accounta1387

counta1387

judgec1390

takea1400

countc1400

receivec1400

existimatec1430

to look on ——?c1430

makec1440

reputea1449

suppose1474

treatc1485

determinea1513

recount?c1525

esteem1526

believe1533

estimate?1533

ascribe1535

consider1539

regard1547

count1553

to look upon ——1553

take1561

reck1567

eye?1593

censure1597

subscribe1600

perhibit1613

behold1642

resent1642

attributea1657

fancy1662

vogue1675

decount1762

to put down1788

to set down1798

rate1854

have1867

mean1878

c1200 Vices & Virtues 63 And halt him seluen for ierðe.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 144 Alle blisse haldeð hit to fallen inmisliche of þeose fondinges.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4030 Heo heolden hine for hæhne godd.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 27135 Þou haldes þin aun gilt bot light.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 288 Whan this iape is told another day I sal ben halden a daf a Cokenay.

c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 141 And to been holden digne of reuerence.

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 83 I requyre you that ye wille holde me for excused.

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. M.viij^v They were holden and reputed as goddes after their death.

1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper iii. 202 I hold mine own Religion so good, as it needs not fetch lustre from the disgrace of another.

1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. xxiii. 179 The very idea of resistance..they hold as absurd.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 185 He held the lives of other men as cheap as his own.

1864 J. H. Newman Apologia 419 If you would not scruple in holding Paley for an honest man.

e. Of a judge or court: To state as an authoritative opinion; to lay down as a point of law; to decide.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > judge or determine judicially [verb (transitive)]

deemc950

findeOE

adjudge?c1400

judge1477

retour1497

conclude1523

sentence1586

deraign1601

discern1622

cognosce1634

censure1640

hold1642

adjudicatea1695

1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. v. §306. 135 It hath been holden in the time of King Henry the third.

1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. iii. 49 It is clearly held, that one acquitted as principal may be indicted as an accessory after the fact.

1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) III. 360 The Master of the Rolls held that the renewed lease was a new acquistion, which vested in the daughter as a purchaser.

1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. vi. 47 The Court..held that the plea to its jurisdiction was insufficient.

f. To have in a specified relation to the mind or thought; to entertain a specified feeling towards; in such phrases as to hold in esteem, contempt, memory, etc. For these phrases, transitive verbs may usually be substituted; thus to hold in esteem = to esteem; to hold in contempt = to despise; to hold in memory = to remember.

ΚΠ

a1300 Cursor Mundi 2610 Yone lasce..Als in despit sco haldes me.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4245 Putifer..held ioseph in mensk and are.

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. B.iv^v In so hyghe estimation it holdeth the virtuous.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. xxi. 111 The temple of Solomon..which they holde in great reverence.

1611 Bible (King James) Phil. ii. 29 Hold such in reputation.

1718 Free-thinker No. 64. 2 Magna Charta..with us is justly held in the greatest Veneration.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 304 The wise and mighty one who is to be held in honour.

†13.

a. To offer as a wager; to wager, bet, ‘lay’.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.)

laya1300

wed1362

to lay downc1430

setc1460

jeopardc1470

wage1484

holda1500

pary?a1505

to stake down1565

stake1591

gagec1598

bet?a1600

go1607

wagera1616

abet1617

impone1702

sport1706

stand1795

gamble1813

parlay1828

ante1846

to put on1890

plunge1919

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 196 I hold here a grote She lykys me not weyll.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 691/2 I holde the a penye I tell the where this bell ryngeth.

1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene Looking Glasse sig. D I hold my Cap to a noble, that the Usurer hath giuen him some gold.

1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife ii. 20 Const. I'll hold you a Guinea you don't make her tell it you. Sir J. I'll hold you a Guinea I do.

1719 T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth II. 54 I'll hold ye five Guineas to four.

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man ii. 20 I'll hold you a guinea of that, my dear.

†b. To accept as a wager. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > accept bet > accept as a bet

hold1530

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 586/2 Lay downe your monaye, I holde it, sus boutez vostre argent, je le tiens.

1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 5 Sayth the Conny, and I durst hold twelue pence more, why, I hold you saith the Barnackle.

1626 Scogin's Jests in Shaks. Jest Bk. (1864) II. 103 Yes..and on that I will lay twenty pound. I hold it said the knight: lay downe the Money.

14. Billiards. = hole v.¹ 6 [A corruption of hole, by association of holed and hold: compare 2, 5]

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [verb (transitive)] > play (the ball) in specific way

hazard1674

string1680

miss1746

pocket1756

hole1803

spot1844

nurse1850

draw1860

pot1860

hold1869

dribble1873

fluke1881

scratch1909

1869 W. L. Blackley Word Gossip 74 A player is continually said to have held a ball when he drives it into a pocket.

1877 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 4) 283 Billiard players say, ‘I held the ball’, instead of I holed it.

II. Intransitive and absolute uses.

15.

a. To do the act of holding; to keep hold; to maintain one's grasp; to cling. Also with by (†upon, to).Apparently by is intrumental: cf. ‘he held the pig by the ears’ with ‘he held by the pig's ears’.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold or grip [verb (intransitive)]

holdc1305

to hold on1830

c1305 St. Dunstan 82 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 36 Þe deuel wrickede her and þer: and he [Dunstan] huld euere faste.

1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie sig. Bvi^v He toke sanctuary, and held by the hornes of the aultare.

1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Iiij^v Some hold fast vpon the saiyng of .S. Augustine, and buylde wonders vpon that text.

1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. E.i^v Holde fast when ye haue it.

1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 4 Do as if you were going over a Bridge..hold fast by the Rail.

1798 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening (ed. 2) xiv. 190 If the plants hold tight to the pots,..a long thin narrow bladed knife, will be proper to loosen the sides.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Epic in Poems (new ed.) II. 2 There was no anchor, none, To hold by.

†b. In the imperative, used in offering or presenting; = Here! take it! [= French tiens, Scots hae.]

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)] > imperative used in giving

hold1490

1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) vi. 154 Holde here, worthy knyghte Reynawde, I gyve you my suster to your wyff & spouse.

1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Cii^v Holde here is a couple of pence for thee.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. i. 4 Hold, take my Sword.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 150 Hold, there's money for thee.

c. Commerce. To retain goods, etc.; not to sell.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (intransitive)] > not sell

hold1890

1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer I. xiv. 241 What will you take for that cattle station..? No use holding, you know.

1892 Standard 7 Nov. 6/6 Spinners are holding tenaciously for full rates.

d. Of a female animal: To retain the seed; to conceive. Also to hold to (the male).

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (intransitive)] > conceive

pondrec1450

stock1478

hold1607

1607 G. Markham Cavelarice i. 40 It is moste infalliable that she holdeth.

1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) i. iii. 34 To know whether your Mare hold to the Horse or no.

1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 i. 64 A disposition in cows to conceive (or ‘hold to the bull’).

1891 Field 28 Nov. 805/2 The chances are against the mare holding.

e. Only in present participle holding: ‘financial’, in funds. Australian and New Zealand colloquial.

ΚΠ

c1926 ‘Mixer’ Transport Workers' Song Bk. 11 ‘What~ho, Jerry, how yer holding?’..‘I haven't made enough this week For to pay the blooming rent.’

1930 Bulletin (Sydney) 29 Oct. 21/1 Whether a man was 'oldin' or whether a man was broke, Joe was a man you could bank on.

f. To be in possession of drugs for sale. U.S. slang.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (intransitive)] > possess drugs for sale

hold1935

1935 A. J. Pollock Underworld Speaks 3/2 Are you holding? Have you any dope to sell?

1953 W. S. Burroughs Junkie ii. 30 The connection was here about ten minutes ago. This character's holding, but he won't turn loose of any.

1961 R. Russell Sound (1962) i. i. 15 Don't jump the light, baby, mother's holding, you know.

1961 R. Russell Sound (1962) ii. ix. 158 He was holding, just as Red had said. Santa had the sweets.

16. Of things: To maintain connection; to remain fast or unbroken; not to give way or become loose.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > be or become attached or affixed [verb (intransitive)] > remain attached

sticka1350

steekc1390

holdc1400

hang1639

stay1684

to keep on1892

c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 142 And þe nose were kutt al awey but þat it held faste at boþe þe eendis..of þe wounde.

?c1425 (c1390) G. Chaucer Fortune 38 Yit halt thin ancre and yit thow mayst aryue.

1511 Pylgrymage Richarde Guylforde (Pynson) f. xlvij^v They let fall the thyrde Ancre which thankyd be almyghty god helde faste.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 34 If the sprindge hold, the Cocke's mine.

1648 Cornu-Copia in Harl. Misc. (1810) VI. 33 To make glue for the joining of boards..that shall hold faster than the boards themselves.

1795 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 259 One of them will hold better than two of the common sort [of nails].

1891 Illustr. London News 31 Jan. 140/3 The helm was perfectly sound, and the lashings held bravely.

1893 Longman's Mag. Apr. 552 The lock held.

17. To maintain one's attachment; to remain faithful or attached; to adhere, keep, ‘stick’ to; to abide by. (Sometimes approaching sense 21.)

ΚΠ

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 61 We..biheten him festliche þat we wolden eure to him holden.

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1171 And þat she sholde til him holde.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 355 For she..Hath set me for a finall ende The point, wherto that I shall holde.

1611 Bible (King James) Matt. vi. 24 Hee will holde to the one, and despise the other.

a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. iii. 77 If they hold to their Principles.

1865 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 1 ii. 323 Herefordshire has held stoutly by its native breed.

1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxlviii, in Monthly Packet July 2 The Queen..held to her purpose.

18. To have capacity or contents; spec. in Hunting, said of a covert: To contain game.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > [verb (intransitive)] > have capacity

hold1581

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting area > [verb (intransitive)] > to have capacity

hold1891

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xl. 232 I wishe the roome..large to holde, and conuenient to holde handsomely.

1891 Field 21 Nov. 791/2 It [a covert] did not hold to-day, and we went on to..Bourke's Gorse.

1893 Field 11 Feb. 190/1 Leslie's Gorse did not hold.

19.

a. To hold property by some tenure, to derive title to something (of or from a superior).

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of or hold as tenant [verb (transitive)] > hold of or from another

holdc1275

rely1586

c1275 Luue Ron 102 in Old Eng. Misc. 96 Henri king of engelonde, of hym he halt, and to hym buhþ.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 42 He com vnto Gaynesburgh, of Suane forto halde.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. vii He made alle lordes that helde of the croune to come in.

1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cvii As thou doest hold of thy kynge So doeth thy tenaut holde of the.

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 156 A second sort of men that made the King uncapable to hold by conquest was the Clergy.

1738 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) I. Pref. p. x Not holding of a superior power.

1868 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 4 ii. 264 Mr. Sisman holds under a 21 years' lease.

1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xi. 206 Men holding by knight's service.

†b. Of a possession or right: To be held (of or from). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal right > [verb (intransitive)] > be held as a right

hold1648

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of property [verb (intransitive)] > be held of or from another

hold1648

1648 Cromwell in Carlyle (1871) II. 106 A Lease which holds of your College.

1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour i. ii. 12 My Crown is absolute, and holds of none.

1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 29 Allodium..signifies Land that holds of no body, we have no such Land in England.

20. To depend; to belong or pertain. Const. of, †on, at. Now only as figurative from 19.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [verb (intransitive)]

belimpOE

beholda1067

belielOE

pertaina1325

pendc1330

appendc1386

appertainc1386

holdc1430

pretenda1470

recorda1500

depend1525

extenda1533

inherea1628

to make to ——1645

apply1741

c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iii. lviii. 171 It holt not of hire but of yow; Helpeth me!

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 30 What euyll woldest thou doo, if hit helde at no man, but at the.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 54 It holdeth not on me.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 241 Yet are generally all rare things and such as breede maruell & admiration somewhat holding of the vndecent.

1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies v. iii. 64 Julia goes first, Gonsalvo hangs on her, And Angellina holds upon Gonsalvo, As I on Angellina.

1889 W. S. Lilly Cent. of Revol. 146 No wonder, for genius holds of the noumenal.

21. to hold with (arch. of, †on, for): to maintain allegiance to; to side with, be of the party of; colloquial to agree with or approve of. (Cf. 17.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)]

shoveOE

to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154

favour1362

abetc1380

sustainc1390

supportc1405

courage1470

comfort1481

friend1550

through-bear1554

countenance1568

foster1569

favourize1585

seconda1586

sidea1601

rally1624

feed1626

countenance1654

encourage1668

inserve1683

to go strong on1822

partake1861

sponsor1884

to hold a brief for1888

root1889

rah-rah1940

affirm1970

babysit1973

barrack-

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve of, accept, or sanction [verb (transitive)]

loveeOE

underfoc1000

underfong?c1225

undertakea1250

provec1300

allowa1325

favour1340

approvec1380

seem?c1450

conprovec1503

avow1530

rectify1567

annuate1585

to be for1590

sancite1597

improve1603

applauda1616

acclamate1624

resenta1646

own1649

comprobate1660

sanction1797

likea1825

approbate1833

to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1895

agree1900

endorse1914

condone1962

1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1140 ⁋6 Ðat he neure ma mid te king his brother wolde halden.

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2308 He swore, Þat he sholde with him halde Boþe ageynes stille and bolde.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 458 They aughte rathere with me for to holde.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. lv^v/2 I am a paynym, & holde for my god Mahoun.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiv. 159 If any dwelland be..That wyll not hold holly on me And on Mahowne.

1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Cor. Argt. f. i^v Therof rose these sediciouse wordes, I holde of Apollo, I holde of Cephas, I hold of Paule.

1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. vi. xl. 116 Some other there were that helde with both sides.

1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 6 It was not with the orthodox that he usually held.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. i. i. 7 These, and what holds of these, may pray,—to Beelzebub, or whoever will hear them.

1895 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 502 I don't hold with him buying flowers when his children haven't got enough to eat.

22. To maintain one's position (against an adversary); of a place, to be held or occupied; to hold out: cf. to hold out 10 at Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > against opposition

holda1132

keep1600

a1132 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1123 Se kyng held stranglice hem to geanes.

c1305 St. Edmund 493 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 84 Þe Couent ek of Canterbury aȝen seint Edmund hulde faste.

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4144 Alle..Þat o-gaynes Goddes laghe will halde.

14.. Songs & Carols 15th C. (Percy Soc.) 27 Her husbondes agens hem durn not holde.

1523 King Henry VIII in J. O. Halliwell Lett. Kings Eng. (1846) I. 279 As touching Berwick..it hath ere this holden against great puissance.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 173 Our force by Land, Hath Nobly held .

1640 J. Yorke Union of Honour 40 Beating downe such holds as held against him.

a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1765) 3 [He] betook himself to London, that City then holding for the Parliament.

figurative.1776 Maiden Aunt I. 145 Do you not hold for congruity of soul in friendship, as well as love?

23.

a. To continue, remain, or ‘keep’ in a state or course; to last, endure.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue

bidec893

ofstandeOE

astandc1000

restOE

holdc1175

dure1297

akeepc1300

lastc1300

arrest1393

containc1400

perseverec1425

reserve1529

to run on1533

to stick by ——1533

persist1538

persist1539

to hold up1582

retaina1631

persist1659

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3253 Vss birrþ biginnenn god to don & haldenn a. þær onne.

a1400 Coer de L. 2419 To another town he went and held there.

1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 135 If þe werre hold.

1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 25^v The housing of cattle, while winter doth holde.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 36 Your resolution cannot hold .

1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus vi. 132 He entred into a Treaty with the Czar of Muscovy, which held a long time.

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 66 The Battle, they said, held two Hours.

1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. v. 18 The bloom of beauty holds but a very few years.

1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxii. 219 I was only too glad, however, to see that their appetites held.

1888 ‘F. Warden’ Woman's Face II. xiii. 55 The frost still held.

b. with complement or extension.

ΚΠ

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiii. 293 Aha! hold still thore!

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings v. 9 So Naaman came..and helde still at the dore of Eliseus house.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke vi. 42 Holde styll Brother, I wil plucke y^e moate out of thyne eye.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 86 I will holde friends with you Ladie.

1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 242 Shingles seldom hold to be all 4 Inches broad.

1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. i. 68 Hold still, horse!

1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 V. lvii. 442 They held at him in this fashion to the very end.

1879 W. Minto Defoe x. 161 Editors of journals held aloof from him.

1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. III. xxvii. 54 The weather held phenomenally silent.

c. To be or remain valid; to subsist; to be in force; to apply. Also to hold good, to hold true.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > be or remain valid [verb (intransitive)]

standOE

holdc1315

to hold out water1598

to run on all fours1617

hold water1622

to pass for (later as) sterling1641

ring1857

c1315 Shoreham 64 That treuthynge darf naut healde.

1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 127 b My rule holdeth not.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III ii. iii. 7 Doth this newes hold of good King Edwards death?

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. ii. 30 Thou saiest well, and it holds wel to.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. i. 3 Does the Rumor hold for true, That hee's so full of Gold?

1655 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick ii. 4 This rule likewise holds if the Notes descend a second.

c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 11 The same reason holds good also as to the sacrement of the Lord's supper.

1716 J. Addison Freeholder No. 31 The Logick will hold true of him which is applied to the great Judge of all the earth.

1818 P. B. Shelley Let. 30 Apr. (1964) II. 14 But this holds good, as I know, only to Milan.

1825 J. R. McCulloch Princ. Polit. Econ. i. 15 It will hold good in nineteen out of twenty instances.

1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 ii. 192 The same reason holds with regard to corn.

1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 33 The saying of the poet holds true in a large degree.

1892 H. R. Mill Realm of Nature vii. 101 This law does not hold for gases.

1937 Discovery May 139/1 His words of seven years ago hold good today.

d. To continue fine, to keep from raining. (Cf. to hold up 9 at Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > remain fine

to hold up1601

hold1893

1893 Chambers's Jrnl. 10 June 355/2 If the weather holds, we'll both take a trip.

24. To continue to go, keep going, go on, move on, proceed, continue, or make one's way. Now esp. to hold on one's way or course.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > a straight course > go in a straight course [verb (intransitive)] > not deviate

hold1508

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii*^v The heynd knight at his haist held to the tovne.

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 945 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 124 And Ilk fowle tuke ye flicht..Held hame to yar hant and yar herbery.

1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Q But if they hold on head, And scorne to beare my yoke.

1627 J. Carter Plaine Expos. Serm. in Mount 124 It lyeth us in hand to hold on our way.

1743 J. Morris Serm. vii. 183 He held on his way from the city.

1793 R. Burns in G. Thomson Sel. Coll. Orig. Sc. Airs I. i. 2 Here awa, there awa, haud awa hame.

1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. I. xi. 242 We proceeded in a westerly course, and held up the lovely valley of Bakatla.

1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 376 I've held on my course when better men than you have asked me to veil topsails.

1891 Field 24 Oct. 633/1 Instead of holding to Oakhill Wood, the pack bore to the right.

1892 Field 30 Jan. 153/1 The merry chase held forward up the hill.

†25. To avail, profit, be of use: in interrogative or negative sentences. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)]

dowc950

frameOE

fremeOE

helpc1000

gainc1175

holdc1175

vail1303

yainc1325

it is speedfulc1340

profit1340

speedc1380

prowa1400

bootc1400

prevailc1450

avail1489

mister1490

skill1528

stead1594

advantagea1616

conduce1624

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Hwet halt þe wredðe seodðan þus god almihtin hauet ihaten?

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 33 Ne halt nawiht þat scrift.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 105 Þo was þis lond kyngles, wat halt yt to telle longe?

c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 918 What halt it long to striue? Mi leue y take at te.

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1602 What halt hit muche her-of to telle to drecchen ous of our lay?

26. To take place, be held; to occur, prevail.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)]

becomec888

i-tidec888

falleOE

ywortheOE

i-limp975

belimpOE

i-timeOE

worthOE

tidea1131

goa1200

arearc1275

syec1275

betide1297

fere1297

risea1350

to come aboutc1350

overcomea1382

passa1393

comea1400

to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400

eschew?a1400

chevec1400

shapec1400

hold1462

to come (also go) to pass1481

proceed?1518

occura1522

bechance1527

overpass1530

sorta1535

succeed1537

adventurec1540

to fall toc1540

success1545

to fall forth1569

fadge1573

beword?1577

to fall in1578

happen1580

event1590

arrive1600

offer1601

grow1614

fudge1615

incur1626

evene1654

obvene1654

to take place1770

transpire1775

to go on1873

to show up1879

materialize1885

break1914

cook1932

to go down1946

1462 R. Calle in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 370 The gayle delyverye holdeth not this daye.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. ii. 52 What newes from Oxford, do these iusts & triump hs [sic] hold ?

1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. i. 15 The Estates and Parliament generall of France..met and held but twice in the yeare only.

1892 Field 19 Mar. 404/1 Stormy weather again holds in north of Scotland.

27. (for reflexive) To restrain oneself, refrain, forbear; to cease, stop, give over. Often in imperative as an exclamation: = Stop! archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]

to let bec1000

fastOE

withdraw1297

letc1374

forbearc1375

abstaina1382

sparec1386

respitea1393

to let alonea1400

refraina1402

supersede1449

deport1477

to hold one's handa1500

spare1508

surcease1542

detract1548

to hold back1576

hold1589

to stand by1590

to hold up1596

suspend1598

stickle1684

to hold off1861

to bottle it1988

1589 P. Ive tr. R. Beccarie de Pavie Instr. Warres 265 If a third doe crie hould, to the intent to parte them.

a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 170 When he heareth any Fidlers, he cannot hold but he must keepe time.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. x. 34 Lay on Macduffe, And damn'd be him, that first cries hold, enough.

1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 121 She could not hold from saying this.

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. vii. 19 Hold fast Gunner, do not fire till we hail them.

1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal v. 45 Well, I can hold no longer..there's no induring of him.

1794 R. B. Sheridan Duenna (new ed.) i. 26 Hold,..a thought has struck me.

1819 P. B. Shelley Rosalind & Helen 18 ‘Hold, hold!’ He cried,—‘I tell thee 'tis her brother!’

28. In shooting: To take aim, to aim. hold on, to aim directly at the game. hold ahead, to aim ahead of it.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot [verb (intransitive)] > manner or type of

grousec1798

to set up1824

to shoot for the stick1834

to go to rode1838

to fire into the brown (of them)1845

set1859

hold ahead1881

hold on1881

rough-shoot1937

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > take aim

aim1566

vizyc1600

hold1881

to aim off1904

to draw down1907

1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 485 It is a much disputed point amongst all who use the gun whether the shooter should ‘hold on’ or ‘ahead’.

III. Phrases. (to hold the plough, the reins, one's sides, see 2 and 3c; to hold to bail, see 10c; to hold good, true, see 23c; to hold at bay: see bay n.⁴ 3, to hold one's breath: see breath n., to hold a candle to: see candle n., to have and to hold: see have v., to hold the field: see field n.¹, to hold one's ground: see ground n., to hold with the hare and run with the hounds: see hare n., to hold one's jaw: see jaw n.¹, to hold one's mud: see mud n.¹, to hold one's nose: see nose n., to hold one's peace: see peace n., to hold (in) play: see play n., to hold short: see short adj., n., and adv., to hold tack: see tack n.¹, to hold one's tongue: see tongue n.)

29. hold (..) hand.

a. to hold one's hand: to stay or arrest one's hand in the act of doing something; hence gen. to refrain, forbear.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]

to let bec1000

fastOE

withdraw1297

letc1374

forbearc1375

abstaina1382

sparec1386

respitea1393

to let alonea1400

refraina1402

supersede1449

deport1477

to hold one's handa1500

spare1508

surcease1542

detract1548

to hold back1576

hold1589

to stand by1590

to hold up1596

suspend1598

stickle1684

to hold off1861

to bottle it1988

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions

traversea1470

to hold one's handa1500

flourish1552

lock1579

to come in1594

retire1594

pass1595

recover1600

redouble1640

allonge1652

caveat1652

parry1671

disengage1684

overlap1692

volt1692

tierce1765

whip1771

wrench1771

lunge1809

salute1809

riposte1823

cut1833

quart1833

repost1848

remise1889

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iv. 56 I byd the hold thi hand.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxii. C It is ynough, holde now thy hande.

?1602 Narcissus (MS Bodl. Rawl. poet. 212) (1893) 654 Dorastus, hold thy handes, for I am slaine.

1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. vi. 64 Called for an Axe to cut the Mizan Shrouds... He bid him hold his hand a little.

1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 30 (Jam.) She hads her hand.

1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob I. vii. 118 She knew when to hold her hand and when to pile on all her strength.

†b. to hold hand: (a) to bear a hand, to contribute help or support, co-operate, concur; (b) to be on an equality with, to match (quot. 1595 for to hold out 6 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (intransitive)]

help?c1225

to shove at the cart1421

supply1446

assist?1518

to lend a hand (or a helping hand)1598

to hold handc1600

to put to one's hand (also hands)1603

seconda1609

subminister1611

to give (lend) a lift1622

to lay (a) hand1634

to give a hand1682

to bear a hand1710

to chip in1872

the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > be or become equal [verb (intransitive)] > rival or vie with

strive?c1225

countervailc1525

to hold handc1600

compete1620

to keep upa1633

competition1650

tie1680

to fall over one another1888

c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 146 The Queyne of Ingland directit Sir Johnne Forster, Lord Warden of the Middle Marches..to mak sum incursions aganis them of Scotland syde, and she sould hald hand uponn hir syde, that thay sould not escape but captevitie or puneisment.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 495 She in beautie, education, blood, Holdes hand with any Princesse of the world.

1616 T. Gainsford Rich Cabinet Curtesie and charitie doe commonly hold hands together.

1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 218 I hope you'll hold hand to this History of the Sufferings, since you have it so much at heart.

†c. to hold in hand: to assure (one); to maintain (that...). To pay attention to; to keep in expectation or suspense (see hand n. Phrases 1f(a)(iii), Phrases 2j(a)). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)]

haveOE

werea1300

maintainc1350

confirmc1380

sustainc1430

defendc1475

to hold in hand1530

uphold1530

soothea1556

dispute1610

sticklea1661

to hold out1847

claim1864

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 587/1 He holdeth me in hande that he wyll ryde out of towne.

a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 127 They..who hold in hand that this Chester..was so named from a Gyant the builder thereof.

d. to hold someone's hand, to give comfort or moral support to someone; to back someone up. colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (intransitive)] > give moral support

to hold someone's hand1935

1935 C. Isherwood Mr. Norris changes Trains vi. 90 I shall need your moral support. You must come and hold my hand.

1961 A. Wilson Old Men at Zoo iv. 220 Martha's been holding his hand in California.

1972 B. Everitt Cold Front vii. 55 I ‘held his hand’ to the best of my ability with school-girl French and passable Italian.

30. hold..head.

a. to hold one's head high: to behave proudly or arrogantly; (also) = sense 30b.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > be proud [verb (intransitive)] > behave proudly

swella1250

to make it stoutc1315

to bear oneself stout1338

bridlea1475

to make it prouda1500

strut1518

to set up one's bristles1529

strut?c1570

square1584

square1590

swagger1600

to take on1603

puff1633

fluster1698

to hold one's head high1707

crest1713

to set out the shin1719

straddle1802

1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility viii. 339 The proud man holds up his head too high to see his way.

1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. lvi. 131 I have desired that they should be able to hold their heads high in the world.

b. to hold up one's head (figurative): to maintain one's dignity, self-respect, or cheerfulness.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > proper pride or self-respect > retain one's self-respect [verb (intransitive)]

to hold up one's head1553

to walk tall1846

to live with oneself1962

1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique i. f. 15 None can holde vp their heades, or dare shewe their faces..that are not thought honest.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 27 Do's he not hold vp his head (as it were?) and strut in his gate?

1808 J. Austen Let. 30 June (1995) 137 Her Daughter..who says as little as ever, but holds up her head & smiles.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. x. 585 He had never held up his head since the Chancellor had been dragged into the justice room in the garb of a collier.

1859 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? (1st Edinb. ed.) I. ii. v. 171 But they could never again hold up their heads with the noblemen and great squires in the county.

1900 E. Wharton Gift from Grave vi. 80 Why, you don't suppose if he were alive he could ever hold up his head again, with these letters being read by everybody?

a1953 E. O'Neill Touch of Poet (1957) 33 Nora. You have the fine opinion av yourself! Sara... I've had need to have, to hold my head up, slaving as a waitress and chambermaid.

31.

a. hold one's own. To maintain one's position against a competitor or an opposing force of any kind; to stand one's ground.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > successfully

hold one's ownc1330

to hold (a) spurna1400

to fight off1787

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 71 Sir Harald..Fulle wele his awen suld hald, if he had kept his treuth.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. FFviii^v Neuer say (Mea culpa)..but holde thyne owne.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 117 Now Aiax hould thine owne.

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 271 Our Sheet Anchor held its own.

1859 J. Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) I. 194 Frightful superstitions still hold their own over two-thirds of the inhabited globe.

1882 Ld. Tennyson Charge Heavy Brigade ii. in Macmillan's Mag Mar. 338 He wheel'd his sabre, and he held his own Like an Englishman there and then.

†b. To hold good. Obsolete. rare.

ΚΠ

a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) iii. 32 Does that newes hold his owne still, that our ships Are..on the Downes With such a wealthy fraughtage.

32. hold water.

a. To stop a boat by holding the blades of the oars flat against the boat's way.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop > stop boat

hold watera1618

a1618 W. Raleigh Disc. Invention Shipping 10 in Judicious & Select Ess. (1650) The Pomerlanders..used a kind of Boate, with the prowe at both ends, so as they need not to wend or hold water.

1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 30 To row, a spell, hold-water, trim the boate.

1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms at Nage stribord Pull the starboard-oars, and hold water with the larboard oars!

1875 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports (ed. 12) ii. viii. ii. §1. 648 Holding water is necessary when the boat is to be suddenly stopped.

b. To retain water, not to let water through or out (sense 5): hence, figurative. To be sound, valid, or tenable; to bear a test or examination; to hold good when put to the test.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > liquid > liquid which has been emitted > action or process of leaking > leak, of liquid [verb (intransitive)] > not let out through a leak

hold watera1400

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > be or remain valid [verb (intransitive)]

standOE

holdc1315

to hold out water1598

to run on all fours1617

hold water1622

to pass for (later as) sterling1641

ring1857

a1400 [see sense 5a]. a1425 [see sense 5a].

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. ii. 13 Vile and broken pittes, that holde no water.

1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 79 This..will not hold water nor doe vs that good wee thought.

1652 J. French York-shire Spaw ii. 32 Let them produce a more rational account of any other opinion, that will hold water..better than this of mine doth.

1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote II. iv. xiv. 424 Brothers, said he, ‘the demand of Loggerhead will not hold water.’

1889 G. Allen Tents of Shem III. li. 252 I think these documents will hold water.

33. hold wind. Nautical. To keep near the wind in sailing without making leeway; to keep well to windward: usually to hold a good wind.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > sail close to the wind > without making leeway

to keep one's (the, a good) wind1666

hold wind1759

point1881

1759 in A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. (1805) III. 360 To lie down in the fore-part of the boat, to bring her more by the head, in order to make her hold a better wind.

1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Sourdre au vent, to hold a good wind, to claw or eat to windward.

1839 F. Marryat Phantom Ship I. viii. 166 The vessels..could hold no wind.

1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 587 The Duke..signalled to the whole fleet to brace round their yards and hold the wind between the two English divisions.

Phrasal verbs

With adverbs.† to hold aback

Obsolete.

transitive. To restrain, hinder.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (transitive)]

letc888

shrenchc897

forstanda1000

amarOE

disturbc1290

impeachc1380

stopc1380

withstandc1385

hinder1413

accloy1422

hindc1426

to hold abackc1440

appeachc1460

impeditec1535

inhibit1535

obstacle1538

damp1548

trip1548

embarrass1578

dam1582

to clip the wings ofa1593

unhelp1598

uppen1600

straiten1607

rub1608

impediment1610

impedea1616

to put out1616

to put off1631

scote1642

obstruct1645

incommodiate1650

offend1651

sufflaminate1656

hindrance1664

disassist1671

clog1679

muzzle1706

squeeze1804

to take the wind out of the sails of1822

throttle1825

block1844

overslaugh1853

snag1863

gum1901

slow-walk1965

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]

pindeOE

steerc950

hold971

forbidc1000

withstewc1175

withholdc1200

stewa1225

crempa1250

bistintc1300

i-stillc1315

withdraw1340

entemperc1380

rebukec1380

forfenda1382

refraina1382

refrainc1390

restraina1393

restayc1400

retainc1415

to hold abackc1440

overholda1450

reclaim?c1450

revokec1450

bedwynge1480

sniba1500

repressa1525

rein1531

inhibit1535

to keep back1535

cohibit1544

reprimec1550

lithe1552

to rein up1574

check1581

embridle1583

to rein in1593

retrench1594

refrenate1599

to hold back1600

snip1601

becheck1605

sneap1611

trasha1616

supersede1645

reprimand1689

snape1691

to clap a guy on1814

to pull up1861

to pull in1893

withstrain1904

c1440 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1895) I. 299 Prayere..haldes hyme [sc. the fiend] obake.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 75 He held þe peple abak by two kalfis þat þei worschipid not God.

a1545 Howe Euery Thinge in J. Skelton Certayne Bks. (c1563) 22 And when time is, put thy selfe in prease, And when time is, to holde thy selfe a backe.

1678 J. Brown Quakerisme Path-way to Paganisme viii. 204 People may be the more encouraged to come over difficulties, and not to hearken to temptations, to hold them aback from Christ the Peace maker.

to hold back

1. transitive. To keep back; to restrain; to reserve from disclosure; to retain.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)] > keep back, not mention

heelOE

to hold back1535

whust1558

whist1570

to keep in1574

to keep back1612

to keep up1678

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]

pindeOE

steerc950

hold971

forbidc1000

withstewc1175

withholdc1200

stewa1225

crempa1250

bistintc1300

i-stillc1315

withdraw1340

entemperc1380

rebukec1380

forfenda1382

refraina1382

refrainc1390

restraina1393

restayc1400

retainc1415

to hold abackc1440

overholda1450

reclaim?c1450

revokec1450

bedwynge1480

sniba1500

repressa1525

rein1531

inhibit1535

to keep back1535

cohibit1544

reprimec1550

lithe1552

to rein up1574

check1581

embridle1583

to rein in1593

retrench1594

refrenate1599

to hold back1600

snip1601

becheck1605

sneap1611

trasha1616

supersede1645

reprimand1689

snape1691

to clap a guy on1814

to pull up1861

to pull in1893

withstrain1904

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxvi. 9 He holdeth back his stole, that it can not be sene.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iii. 66 Many thousand reasons hold me backe.

1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour iv. i. 37 Sure thou bear'st some Charm, Or some Divinity holds back my Arm.

1841 R. Oastler in Fleet Papers I. xlviii. 379 It is sinful to hold back the truth.

2. intransitive (for reflexive). To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hesitate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]

to let bec1000

fastOE

withdraw1297

letc1374

forbearc1375

abstaina1382

sparec1386

respitea1393

to let alonea1400

refraina1402

supersede1449

deport1477

to hold one's handa1500

spare1508

surcease1542

detract1548

to hold back1576

hold1589

to stand by1590

to hold up1596

suspend1598

stickle1684

to hold off1861

to bottle it1988

1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Q.iij^v Hold backe betime, for feare you catch a foyle.

1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. viii. 374 Holding back when the Native Government was anxious to advance.

1890 Mrs. H. Wood House of Halliwell II. vii. 162 I have held back from asking you.

3. With on: to refrain from disclosing (something to someone).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep quiet about [phrase]

to keep or hold (a matter) counsel (later in counsela1400

to keep secret1399

to keep (something) dark1532

to draw a veil over1582

not to tell one's shirt1586

to keep one's (own) counsel1604

to put (also keep) in one's pocketa1616

to name no names1692

to make a secret of1738

to keep (‥) snug1778

to clap, put, or keep the thumb on1825

to wash one's dirty linen at home, in public1867

to hold back1956

to sweep (also brush, kick, etc.) (something) under the rug1956

to get it off one's chest1961

to sweep (or push) (something) under the carpet1963

1956 E. Pound tr. Sophocles Women of Trachis 22 I'll tell the truth, I won't hold back on you.

to hold down

1. transitive. To keep down (literal and figurative); to keep under, keep in subjection, repress, oppress.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > low position > put in low position [verb (transitive)] > keep in low position

to hold down1533

society > authority > subjection > subjecting or subjugation > subject [verb (transitive)] > keep in subjection

to hold down1533

underkeep1590

to keep down1723

snool1735

1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) iv. 394 The fame and rumoure thareof was haldin doun amang the Veanis.

1606 J. Marston Parasitaster iv, in Wks. (1856) II. 77 The more held down, they swel.

1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack xix. 129 Confused and holding down my head.

1881 Bible (R.V.) Rom. i. 18 Men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness.

1883 Daily News 1 Feb. 5 Plump English folk, not at all starved or ‘hadden doon’, as his countrymen say.

2. Mining (U.S. and Australia). to hold down a claim (also absol. to hold down): ‘to reside on a section or tract of land long enough to establish a claim to ownership under the homestead law’ ( C.D.).

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > [verb (intransitive)] > claim right to possession > by occupancy of land

to hold down a claim1888

society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > mark out claim > guard (claim)

shepherd1855

to hold down1888

1888 Harper's Mag. July 236/1 A lone and unprotected female ‘holding down a claim’.

1893 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 10 324/1 In mining slang Pilbarra did not ‘hold down’, and the place was ultimately almost deserted.

3. To remain in (a position or situation); to continue to occupy (a place or post) or succeed in discharging the duties of (one's employment). Originally U.S. colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (transitive)] > discharge a duty or office

officiate1615

serve1621

managea1627

to hold down1891

pull1941

1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 92 Jumping an east bound freight.., I managed to hold it down or keep on it till I got to Alameda.

1893 Harper's Mag. Dec. 80/2 If a man is to ‘hold down’ a big ranch in northern Mexico he has got to be ‘all man’.

1896 G. Ade Artie xiv. 129 I'll bet that guy up in your place don't know nothin' on earth except how to hold down his measly job.

1902 G. H. Lorimer Lett. Merchant v. 60 The fellow who's got the right stuff in him is holding down his own place with one hand.

1910 S. E. White Rules of Game i. iii. 19 I didn't much think you could hold down a job here. You see there's too much doing here.

1913 F. H. Burnett T. Tembarom ii I wonder, if I ever did get his job, if I could hold it down?

1931 G. D. H. Cole in W. Rose Outl. Mod. Knowl. xvi. 688 There are few pleasures in life equal to that of successfully holding down a difficult and responsible job.

1936 Punch 14 Oct. 439/2 He never could hold down a job.

1973 A. Behrend Samarai Affair i. 12 Captain Coldstream looked exactly what he was—an ex-sailor of quality now holding down an exacting shore job.

to hold forth

†1. transitive. To keep up, maintain, continue, go on with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)]

i-haldOE

to hold fortha1325

sustainc1325

containc1330

continuea1340

maintainc1385

carrya1393

keepc1425

to keep upa1535

to stick by ——1551

to hold on1568

to hold out1595

to carry on1609

subsist1633

to keep at ——1825

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 165 Ðis fifte dai held forð his fligt.

c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2931 Thus thair wai forth gan thai hald.

a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 317 He held forthe his oppynyoun dampnable.

a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Biv Hold fourth the way of health.

†2. intransitive. To continue one's course; to go on, proceed. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)]

to hold a wayOE

to hold forthc1200

to hold ona1225

reignc1300

lasta1325

continuea1340

to continue doing or to doc1384

pursuea1425

perseverec1425

to hold one's wayc1480

prosecute1528

to go on1533

to run on1533

keep1548

to follow on1560

insist1586

to keep on1589

to carry on1832

to carry on1857

string1869

society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > continue on one's course

to hold a wayOE

to hold forthc1200

to go ona1500

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 85 Iohan baptist..bicom eremite and hield forð þerone.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 249 Thai held furth soyn till Ingland.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. vi. (heading) Furth haldis Nysus and Eurillius baith tway.

†3. transitive. To offer, proffer, propound, set forth, exhibit. ? Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)]

uppec897

atewOE

sutelec1000

openOE

awnc1175

kithec1175

forthteec1200

tawnec1220

let witc1275

forthshowa1300

to pilt out?a1300

showa1300

barea1325

mythc1330

unfoldc1374

to open outc1390

assign1398

mustera1400

reyve?a1400

vouchc1400

manifest?a1425

outshowc1425

ostendc1429

explayc1443

objecta1500

reveala1500

patefy?1509

decipher1529

relieve1533

to set outa1540

utter1542

report1548

unbuckle1548

to set forth1551

demonstrate1553

to hold forth1560

testify1560

explicate1565

forthsetc1565

to give show of1567

denudec1572

exhibit1573

apparent1577

display?1578

carry1580

cipher1583

laya1586

foreshow1590

uncloud?1594

vision1594

explain1597

proclaim1597

unroll1598

discloud1600

remonstrate1601

resent1602

to bring out1608

palesate1613

pronounce1615

to speak out1623

elicit1641

confess1646

bear1657

breathe1667

outplay1702

to throw out1741

evolve1744

announce1781

develop1806

exfoliate1808

evince1829

exposit1882

pack1925

the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)]

i-bedea800

bidOE

make?a1160

forthc1200

bihedec1275

proffera1325

yielda1382

dressc1384

to serve fortha1393

dight1393

pretend1398

nurnc1400

offerc1425

profita1450

tent1459

tend1475

exhibit1490

propine1512

presentc1515

oblate1548

pretence1548

defer?1551

to hold forth1560

prefer1567

delatea1575

to give forth1584

tender1587

oppose1598

to hold out1611

shore1787

1560 Bible (Geneva) Phil. ii. 16 Holding forthe [ἐπέχοντες] the worde of life.

1648 Eng. Way to Establ. in Harl. Misc. (1810) VI. 42 Now Heaven holds forth power and opportunity far more liberally than ever heretofore.

1704 J. Swift Disc. Mech. Operat. Spirit i, in Tale of Tub 287 This Animal, by whom I take human Nature to be most admirably held forth in all its Qualities.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 63 A chappel..where Mass was publickly held forth every Day.

1814 Father & Son ii. i The profligacy..that impelled you to hold forth that language to me.

4. intransitive. [ < Philippians ii. 16: see 3.] To preach; to speak publicly, discourse, harangue. (Usually somewhat contemptuous.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > speech-making > make a speech [verb (intransitive)] > discourse or lecture

carpa1375

movec1400

descant1536

discourse1547

lecturea1592

homilize1624

dissert1657

lecturize1661

pronounce1663

to hold forth1668

to hold out1689

sermonize1753

dissertate1766

1694 J. Wallis Def. Christian Sabbath ii. 27 The Phrase of Holding-forth was taken up by Non conformists..about the Year 1642 or 1643, as I remember,..in contradistinction to the word Preaching.]

1668 J. Dryden Secret-love v. i. 54 Lord what a misfortune it was..that the Gentleman could not hold forth to you.1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 234 This week William Penn the quaker held forth at the Bull and Mouth in this citty.1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 142. ⁋5 He is able to hold forth upon Canes longer than upon any one Subject in the World.1881 G. M. Craik Sydney II. ix. 262 Netty was holding forth with the utmost eloquence.1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxii. 222 Nature is a silent preacher which holds forth upon week-days as on Sabbaths.

to hold hard

intransitive (originally a sporting phrase): To pull hard at the reins in order to stop the horse; hence gen. to ‘pull up’, halt, stop. Usually in imperative (colloquial)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > stop short in some activity > as if checked

to take check1663

to hold hard1761

to pull up1808

1761 G. Colman Jealous Wife v. iii. 96 Hold hard! hold hard! You are all on a wrong Scent.

1829 Sporting Mag. 23 280 But I must ‘hold hard’ here, as we say in the field.

1854 J. G. Wood Sketches Animal Life (1855) 407 The ‘Hold hard’ of the conductor being sufficient to bring them [horses] to a stop.

1862 Temple Bar 6 310 Hold hard, shipmates.

to hold in

1. transitive. To keep in, confine, retain; to restrain, keep in check.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > hold in check

bridleOE

tempera1050

chastec1230

to hold inc1300

straina1340

stintc1366

attemperc1380

restraina1387

rulea1391

ward1390

coarctc1400

obtemper?a1425

to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425

compesce1430

stent1488

coactc1520

repressa1525

compress1526

control1548

snaffle1555

temperatea1568

brank1574

halter1577

curb1588

shortena1599

to bear (a rein) upon1603

check1629

coerceate1657

bit1825

throttle1862

hold1901

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)]

at-hold?c1225

to hold inc1300

withholda1325

distrainc1340

restrain1397

stressa1425

detain1485

to lay fast1560

constrain1590

enstraiten1619

embinda1628

pin1738

coerce1780

deport1909

c1300 Proverbs of Hending x Wis mon halt is wordes ynne.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5527 Wit herd werckes þai [sc. Egyptians] heild þam in.

1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 73 Trie if thou canst hold in an outward smile.

1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxii. 9 As the horse, or as the mule..whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle.

a1725 J. Swift in Drapier's Lett. (1941) 93 My nag..became such a lover of liberty that I could scarce hold him in.

1888 E. Stuart Joan Vellacot I. x. 192 She held in the ponies, so that they recognized a strong hand.

2. intransitive. To ‘keep in’, continue in some position or condition understood or indicated by context; to restrain oneself, refrain, keep silence; to ‘keep in’ with.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue > in specified state

ofstandeOE

atstandc1000

goOE

standOE

containc1380

perseverec1380

contunec1400

to hold inc1400

setc1400

remain?a1450

continue1503

stay1570

keepc1600

subsista1616

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 142 If a man..couer þe coles þeroff with aschez, þai will hald in quikk a twelfmonth.

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. i. 77 Such as can hold in .

1641 J. Trapp Theologia Theol. 229 To hold in with Princes and great ones.

1702 London Gaz. No. 3838/1 [He] held in pretty near the French Town of Basse-Terre.

1849 J. A. Carlyle tr. Dante Inferno 268 Alichino held in no longer, and in opposition to the others said [etc.].

to hold off

1. transitive. To keep off, away, or at a distance; to put off, delay.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be far from [verb (transitive)] > keep (a thing or person) at a distance

to hold offc1420

withhold1513

to keep away1548

to keep off1548

to stop off1722

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]

forslowc888

eldc897

forsita940

gele971

lengOE

drilla1300

delayc1300

onfrestc1300

tarryc1320

jornc1330

dretchc1380

defer1382

forbida1387

to put offa1387

to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393

dilate1399

fordrawa1400

to put overc1410

latch?c1422

adjournc1425

prolongc1425

proloynec1425

rejournc1425

to put in respite1428

sleuthc1430

respitea1450

prorogue1453

refer1466

sleep1470

supersede1482

respectc1487

postpone1496

overseta1500

respett1500

enjourna1513

relong1523

retract1524

tarde1524

track1524

to fode forth1525

tract1527

protract1528

further1529

to make stay of1530

surcease1530

prorogate1534

to fay upon longc1540

linger1543

retard?1543

slake1544

procrastine1548

reprieve1548

remit1550

suspense1556

leave1559

shiftc1562

suspend1566

procrastinate1569

dally1574

post1577

to hold off1580

drift1584

loiter1589

postpose1598

to take one's (own) timea1602

flag1602

slug1605

elong1610

belay1613

demur1613

tardya1616

to hang up1623

frist1637

disjourn1642

future1642

off1642

waive1653

superannuate1655

perendinate1656

stave1664

detard1675

remora1686

to put back1718

withhold1726

protract1737

to keep over1847

to hold over1853

laten1860

to lay over1885

hold1891

back-burner1975

c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 98 An heir hil, that wynd that wold offende Let holde of.

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 85^v Thou holdest me off with many delayes.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 57 Hold of your hands.

1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxiii. sig. E8^v A meere Complementall Man Is one to be held off still at the same distance you are now.

1725 A. Pope Corr. 14 Dec. (1956) II. 349 Absence does but hold off a Friend, to make one see him the truer.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold off, the keeping the hove-in part of a cable or hawser clear of the capstan.

2. intransitive. To keep oneself or remain off, away, or at a distance; to refrain from action; to delay.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be or remain at a distance [verb (intransitive)]

to stand apart1538

to stand off1600

to hold off1604

to keep awaya1616

to keep offa1616

distance1658

to keep one's luff1682

to keep back1836

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)]

geleOE

studegieOE

abideOE

to do in or a (= on) fristc1175

dwellc1175

demurc1230

targec1250

dretcha1325

tarrya1375

sojourn1377

defer1382

letc1385

hinderc1386

blina1400

delay?a1400

honea1400

litea1400

overbidea1400

prolongc1425

supersede1433

hoverc1440

tarrowc1480

sunyie1488

stay?a1500

sleep1519

slack1530

protract1540

linger1548

procrastinate1548

slackc1560

slug1565

jauk1568

temporize1579

detract1584

longering1587

sit1591

prorogue1593

to time it out1613

to lie out1640

crastinate1656

taigle17..

to hang fire1782

to hold off1790

to hang it on1819

prevaricate1854

to lie over1856

to tread water1942

to drag one's feet1946

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]

to let bec1000

fastOE

withdraw1297

letc1374

forbearc1375

abstaina1382

sparec1386

respitea1393

to let alonea1400

refraina1402

supersede1449

deport1477

to hold one's handa1500

spare1508

surcease1542

detract1548

to hold back1576

hold1589

to stand by1590

to hold up1596

suspend1598

stickle1684

to hold off1861

to bottle it1988

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 292 If you loue me hold not of.

1790 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 133 Holding off, therefore, nearly three months.

1861 Temple Bar 1 339 The only person who at all held off from joining.

1887 Spectator 1 Oct. 1301 The storm may hold off.

1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 592 The galleons..had been observed to hold off.

1893 Field 15 Apr. 555/1 The rain ‘holds off’.

3. nonce-use as adj. ( hold-off). Given to holding off; distant.

ΚΠ

1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxiv. 286 I saw I must be extremely hold-off in my relations.

to hold on

1. transitive. To keep (something) on; to retain in its place on something.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep (something) on

to hold ona1529

a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 118 Why holde ye on yer cap, syr, then?

1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 106 Henry VIII^th's Charter to Stephen Tucker for holding on his Hat before the King.

1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. I can't keep on a bicycle unless somebody holds me on.

†2. To continue, keep up, carry on. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)]

i-haldOE

to hold fortha1325

sustainc1325

containc1330

continuea1340

maintainc1385

carrya1393

keepc1425

to keep upa1535

to stick by ——1551

to hold on1568

to hold out1595

to carry on1609

subsist1633

to keep at ——1825

1568 (?a1513) W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 252 Hald on thy intent.

1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §lxiiii Thus bountifull House-keepers hold on their set ordinary provision.

1757 R. Griffith & E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances II. ccxlv. 187 I..am pleased to find, that you still hold on a Correspondence with her.

1809 R. Cumberland John de Lancaster I. 150 In order to hold it [the harangue] on.

3. intransitive. To keep one's hold or grasp on something; to cling on; also figurative. Also in jocular phrases.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold or grip [verb (intransitive)]

holdc1305

to hold on1830

1830 N. S. Wheaton Jrnl. 508 The rolling and tossing of the ship oblige us to ‘hold on’.

1861 Temple Bar 3 509 I found myself holding on to a piece of plank.

1877 C. H. Spurgeon Serm. XXIII. 361 As though he held on by his teeth.

1930 ‘Sapper’ Finger of Fate 35 Having to hold on by one's eyebrows whenever one moves gets a bit monotonous after a time.

4. To maintain a course of action or movement; to keep on, continue, go on (rarely reflexive).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)]

to hold a wayOE

to hold forthc1200

to hold ona1225

reignc1300

lasta1325

continuea1340

to continue doing or to doc1384

pursuea1425

perseverec1425

to hold one's wayc1480

prosecute1528

to go on1533

to run on1533

keep1548

to follow on1560

insist1586

to keep on1589

to carry on1832

to carry on1857

string1869

a1225 Leg. Kath. 434 He heold on to herien his heaðene maumez.

1405 Bidding Prayer ii, in Lay Folks Mass Bk. 65 For thaim that first began and langest haldis on.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. iii. 41 Now haldis on.

1630 R. Sanderson Serm. II. 264 If we hold on as we do, in pampering every man his own flesh.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 633 But still I see the tenor of Mans woe Holds on the same.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 18 The Gale held still.

a1822 P. B. Shelley There is no Work 7 O Man! hold thee on in courage of soul.

1889 J. A. Froude Two Chiefs Dunboy xv. 218 He held on till they were less than a mile apart.

5. imperative. Stop! wait! (colloquial) Cf. 27, to hold hard at Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action!

stop1570

not so fasta1593

hold your horses!1843

to hold on1846

hold it!1926

hold everything!1930

1846 C. M. Kirkland Western Clearings (new ed.) 45 ‘But hold on a little till I tell ye!’ interposed Master George.

1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) ‘Hold on a minute’, originally a sea phrase.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold on a minute, wait or stop.

1883 Bread-Winners 62 ‘Hold on’, he burst out; ‘Don't talk to me that way..I can't stand it’.

6. In shooting: see 28.

7. Telephony. To keep the line open.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate by telephone [verb (intransitive)] > keep connection

to hold on1892

to hold the line1912

to hang on1936

1892 R. Kipling in Times 29 Nov. 8/1 A..millionnaire,..clawing wildly at the telephone..‘Hello!..I told you to hold on. What?..No. Hold on.’

1919 V. Woolf Night & Day xxiv. 327 ‘I'll look at my engagements... Hold on.’ She dropped the machine.

1920 Punch 1 Sept. 176/3 ‘What is your number, please?’..‘Just hold on a minute while I look it up.’

1920 R. Macaulay Potterism iii. i. 104 You mustn't ring off yet... Hold on while I tell daddy.

1949 J. B. Priestley Home is Tomorrow 38 (into telephone) Yes, I'll hold on.

1971 ‘A. Cross’ Theban Myst. (1972) xi. 165 She did go to the phone, but she got the doctor's exchange, which said, ‘Hold on,’ and then went off the line.

to hold out

1. transitive. To stretch forth, extend (the hand or other limb, or something held in the hand).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body > in some direction, purposefully

to put forthc1300

thrustc1374

to put outa1382

proferc1400

outstretcha1425

to hold out1535

outhold1550

push1581

intend1601

stick1607

protrude1638

poke1700

blurt1818

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Esther iv. B Excepte the kynge holde out the golden cepter vnto him.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. i. 6 I dare not fight, but I will winke and hold out mine Iron.

1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xliv. 156 We want a cavalier, said she, holding out both her hands, as if to offer them.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) v. 36 ‘Hold out your hand, sir!’ Down came the stump with a great heavy thump on the child's hand.

1879 J. McCarthy Donna Quixote xxxii Throwing away the pitiful olive-branch of peace he had been pretending to hold out.

†2. To exhibit; to hold up (to hold up 3 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > expose to public view [verb (transitive)]

to put forth?c1225

to hit out1579

to set a-sunshining1601

to put forward1611

to hold out1613

expose1623

theatrizea1679

produce1686

parade1765

to bring forward1783

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 160 They hold out to us the light of Scripture, themselves walking in darknesse.

1799 J. West Tale of Times III. 131 She felt the cruelty of thus holding her out to general ridicule.

3. figurative. To offer, proffer, present.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)]

i-bedea800

bidOE

make?a1160

forthc1200

bihedec1275

proffera1325

yielda1382

dressc1384

to serve fortha1393

dight1393

pretend1398

nurnc1400

offerc1425

profita1450

tent1459

tend1475

exhibit1490

propine1512

presentc1515

oblate1548

pretence1548

defer?1551

to hold forth1560

prefer1567

delatea1575

to give forth1584

tender1587

oppose1598

to hold out1611

shore1787

1611 B. Jonson Catiline i. sig. C3 Fortune holds out these to you, as rewards.

1796 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 77 The French..held out language promissory of equitable conditions.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 615 Hopes were held out to him that his life would be spared.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 46 The inducement held out was the wonderful profits to be won.

4. To represent.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > owning > own [verb (transitive)] > own jointly or communally > represent oneself as a partner

to hold out1829

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (reflexive)]

feign1297

abuse?a1439

counterfeit1610

personate1710

to pass off1770

to hold out1829

to work off1894

1829 J. Parke in R. V. Barnewall & C. Cresswell Rep. Cases King's Bench X. 140 The defendant had held himself out to be a partner..to the plaintiff.

1878 N. Lindley Partnership (ed. 4) i. i. §2. 49 A person may hold himself out or permit himself to be held out as a partner, and yet conceal his name.

5. To keep out, exclude. Now rare. In Cards: see hold-out n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > be on the outside of [verb (transitive)] > keep or shut out

loukc1275

speara1300

beshutc1330

forbarc1330

warn?a1366

to close outa1382

to shut outc1384

steeka1393

again-louka1400

to keep outc1425

outshutc1450

seclude1498

to stop outc1530

to hedge out1549

confine1577

to hold out1583

out-bar1590

debar1593

excommunicate1602

expel1604

immurec1616

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F3^v Almost none of their leather will holde out water.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 109 Stonie limits cannot hold loue out .

1628 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 43 As an enemy holden out at the posts of our city.

1890 Ld. Lytton Ring of Amasis vii. 147 He got [the boat] afloat, and found that it would hold out the water.

1894 J. N. Maskelyne ‘Sharps & Flats’ v. 73 The term ‘Holdout’ is the name given to a mechanical contrivance, constructed with the object of enabling the card-sharper to ‘hold-out’, or conceal one or more cards, until he finds that they will be useful to him.

6. To keep up, continue or maintain to the end.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)]

i-haldOE

to hold fortha1325

sustainc1325

containc1330

continuea1340

maintainc1385

carrya1393

keepc1425

to keep upa1535

to stick by ——1551

to hold on1568

to hold out1595

to carry on1609

subsist1633

to keep at ——1825

1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. vi. 24 No waie to flie, no strength to hold our flight.

1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angrie Women of Abington sig. H^v Tis not time of night to hold out chat, With such a scold as thou art.

1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 493 Stiffer in holding out a rebellion.

1893 Field 11 Mar. 354/3 The way he holds his stroke out is very good.

†7. To bear or sustain to the end. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] > resist > maintain resistance against

to stand before ——OE

bearOE

tholec1175

sustainc1330

last1340

suffera1387

support1483

outstand1571

hold1592

to hold outa1616

ridea1649

brunt1800

to stand up to1921

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 157 Now happy he, whose cloake and center can Hold out this tempest.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough II. 456 The Place was ill-provided to hold out a Siege.

1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 211.

8. To occupy or defend to the end (against an adversary).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold out or make stand [verb (intransitive)]

standOE

hold1154

to maintain one's owna1375

to hold or keep (one's) stalec1450

subsist1588

to hold out1769

1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. 13 He had..conceived a resolution of holding out the town.

1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. ii. 34 I will hold out the old house, and it will not be the first time I have held it against ten times the strength.

1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos cliii, in Monthly Packet Feb. 110 The burghers..who had held out the city were put to death.

9. With object clause: To maintain. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)]

haveOE

werea1300

maintainc1350

confirmc1380

sustainc1430

defendc1475

to hold in hand1530

uphold1530

soothea1556

dispute1610

sticklea1661

to hold out1847

claim1864

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiii. 105 Holding out that the lady was a Duchess.

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

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue

bidec893

lastOE

through-wonOE

ylasta1000

standOE

runOE

lastlOE

beleavec1200

abidec1275

cleavec1275

durec1275

dwell13..

endurec1386

perseverec1390

continuec1400

contunec1400

tarrya1450

remainc1455

perdure?a1475

rest1474

permanec1485

succeed1486

perpetuate1530

persist1531

demur1547

perduratea1558

weara1568

to hold it out1585

to hold out1585

abye1590

contain1592

live1592

perennate1623

to draw overa1700

exist1754

linger1764

to hang it out1939

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > resist resolutely

i-standOE

atstand?c1225

to hold out rubbers1573

to stand out1574

to hold out1585

stay1593

to stand one's ground1600

to stick out1677

to stand brush1794

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > maintain resistance

to hold out1585

to bear upa1616

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 In despaire of succour, and not able to holde out any longer.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. i. 30 All Kent hath yeelded: nothing there holds out But Douer Castle.

1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Rochester (1692) 150 He was not able to hold out long in discourse.

1707 I. Watts Hymns i. lxxxviii. i And while the lamp holds out to burn The vilest sinner may return.

a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) iv. 307 Babylon held out, and the next year was taken.

1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross IV. 32 Miss Wansbro is so robust, she holds out to dance with all who ask her.

1802 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 8 212 Her constitution, shattered by the frequent attacks it endured, could not long hold out.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 234 By no art could the provisions..be made to hold out two days more.

1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iv. ii. 123 Well sed brazen face, hold it out.1713 J. Addison Cato ii. iii We ought to hold it out 'till terms arrive.1764 Garrick in G. Colman Posthumous Lett. (1820) 253 I cannot hold it out so long.

†11. To preach: = to hold forth at Phrasal verbs (to hold forth 4 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > speech-making > make a speech [verb (intransitive)] > discourse or lecture

carpa1375

movec1400

descant1536

discourse1547

lecturea1592

homilize1624

dissert1657

lecturize1661

pronounce1663

to hold forth1668

to hold out1689

sermonize1753

dissertate1766

1689 A. Wood Life 28 Feb. III. 299 His old dancing school..they have made a preaching place. Mr. Cornish holds out.

12. To keep back; to retain or detain; (also const. on) to withhold (information or the like). colloquial (originally U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep what is due to or desired by another

ofholdOE

withholdc1200

abstaina1387

keep?1463

to hold up?1499

refrain?1504

outhold1512

detainc1535

to keep back1535

subtracta1538

substract1542

to hold out1907

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > escape observation [verb (intransitive)] > keep silent about, not mention

swiec900

heelOE

to hold out1907

to dummy up1926

1907 E. S. Field Six-cylinder Courtship 71 If it wasn't for Bellows and Rooker, we'd hold out on him every time.

1911 H. S. Harrison Queed v. 57 Surface, by clever juggling of his books had managed to ‘hold out’ a large sum of money in the enforced settlement of his affairs.

1916 H. L. Wilson Somewhere in Red Gap viii. 345 I wanted to send a postal card to the..Dye Works at Red Gap, for some stuff they had been holding out on me a month.

1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean i. 13 He dumped his wages upon the sitting-room table, holding out only the price of a new pair of shoes.

1926 J. Black You can't Win ix. 112 The thief who holds out a lady's watch on his pal to give to his girl has no character.

1932 P. G. Wodehouse Hot Water i. 21 And me who had split Even Stephen with her on every deal, never chiselling, never holding out on her, no, not so much as a dime.

1944 L. A. G. Strong All fall Down 99 The thought came to me that maybe the old cuss was just holding out on me.

1945 J. B. Priestley Three Men in New Suits v. 88 ‘Boss,’ said Markinch, who liked to be American too, ‘he's holding out on us.’

1972 ‘G. Black’ Bitter Tea (1973) v. 81 If I find out that you've been holding out on me over this identification, I'll come down on you like a pile driver.

to hold over

1. intransitive (Law) To remain in occupation or in office beyond the regular term.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of property [verb (intransitive)] > hold beyond regular term

to hold over1647

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 201 If the Lord faile, he loses his tenure, and the tenant might thence forth disclaime, and hold over for ever.

1880 A. Brown New Law Dict. (ed. 2) Holding over, this is the phrase commonly used to denote that a tenant remains in possession of lands or houses after the determination of his term therein.

2. transitive. To retain or reserve till a later time; to keep for future consideration or action; to postpone.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]

forslowc888

eldc897

forsita940

gele971

lengOE

drilla1300

delayc1300

onfrestc1300

tarryc1320

jornc1330

dretchc1380

defer1382

forbida1387

to put offa1387

to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393

dilate1399

fordrawa1400

to put overc1410

latch?c1422

adjournc1425

prolongc1425

proloynec1425

rejournc1425

to put in respite1428

sleuthc1430

respitea1450

prorogue1453

refer1466

sleep1470

supersede1482

respectc1487

postpone1496

overseta1500

respett1500

enjourna1513

relong1523

retract1524

tarde1524

track1524

to fode forth1525

tract1527

protract1528

further1529

to make stay of1530

surcease1530

prorogate1534

to fay upon longc1540

linger1543

retard?1543

slake1544

procrastine1548

reprieve1548

remit1550

suspense1556

leave1559

shiftc1562

suspend1566

procrastinate1569

dally1574

post1577

to hold off1580

drift1584

loiter1589

postpose1598

to take one's (own) timea1602

flag1602

slug1605

elong1610

belay1613

demur1613

tardya1616

to hang up1623

frist1637

disjourn1642

future1642

off1642

waive1653

superannuate1655

perendinate1656

stave1664

detard1675

remora1686

to put back1718

withhold1726

protract1737

to keep over1847

to hold over1853

laten1860

to lay over1885

hold1891

back-burner1975

1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxviii. 278 I will hold the matter over with him for any reasonable time.

1861 Temple Bar 3 321 Comes down a telegraphic message to us to hold over all our warrants against him.

1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. vii. 63 You needn't be afraid of my disposing of you. I'll hold you over. That's a promise.

1885 Manch. Examiner 8 July 5/1 The Sixpenny Telegrams Bill is to be held over till next year.

1891 Illustr. London News 10 Jan. 54/1 Not to sell any sealskins..but to hold them over till next winter.

3. U.S. colloquial. (See quot. 1889¹.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > have or get (someone) at a disadvantage

to have at avail1470

to catch, have, hold, take (one) at (a or the) vantagec1510

to gain of1548

to be to the forehand with1558

to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch1591

to get the sun of1598

to have (also get) a good hand against1600

to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612

to weather on or upon1707

to have the laugh on a person1767

to have a (or the) pull of (also over, on)1781

to get to windward of1783

to have the bulge on1841

to give points to1854

to get (have) the drop on1869

to hold over1872

to have an (or the) edge on1896

to get (also have) the goods on1903

to get (or have) the jump on1912

to have (got) by the balls1918

1872 ‘M. Twain’ Innocents at Home 18 (Farmer) You ruther hold over me, pard. I reckon I can't call that hand.

1889 J. S. Farmer Americanisms To hold over one is to have an advantage in some way or other. This particular usage probably comes from poker phraseology.

1889 K. Munroe Golden Days of ’49 xii. 127 Do we hold over Bowers?

to hold together

1. transitive. To keep together, retain in union or connection. literal and figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > join (together) [verb (transitive)] > join closely, intimately, or permanently > cause to cohere

belimeOE

to hold togethera1225

glue13..

cement1340

conglutinate1546

agglutinate1586

solder1601

coagment1603

glutinate1604

coagmentate1615

concement1628

to stick together1634

a1225 Leg. Kath. 2268 Porphire & alle hise heolden ham togederes.

1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. Ep. Ded. (1576) A vij b Her Grace, who is the best knot in this Garden, that holdeth Englishmen together.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 433 Two men..held the ends together.

1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 687 The sacred band That holds mankind together.

1850 C. Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. (ed. 2) II. 171 The roots also of trees..were very effective formerly in holding the soil together.

2. intransitive. To continue in union or connection; to remain entire; to cohere. literal and figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > be or become joined together [verb (intransitive)] > be or become closely, intimately, or permanently joined > cohere

to hold togetherc1330

to hang togetherc1400

gluec1420

to stick together1535

cohere1616

cement1660

c1330 Amis & Amil. 151 That thai schuld frely fond, To hold togider at eueri nede.

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 55 Husbondrie and he holden to-gedere.

1533 J. Heywood Mery Play Iohan Iohan sig. B.iv The payle..is so rotten and olde That it wyll not skant together holde.

1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 494 It was then commonly reported that if they hung him, his body would not hold together because of its rottenness.

1861 Temple Bar 3 509 There was hope that the ship would hold together.

to hold up

1. transitive. To keep raised or erect, keep from falling, support, sustain. ( to hold up one's head: see 30b.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)]

to bear upeOE

underbearc950

bearOE

holdc1000

weighc1200

to hold up1297

upholda1300

sustainc1330

undersetc1330

comforta1382

underbear1382

upbear1390

sustaina1398

upkeepc1412

carrya1425

supporta1425

chargea1500

convey1514

avoke1529

confirm1542

stay1548

to carry up1570

bolster1581

lift1590

upstay1590

atlas1593

sustent1605

statuminatea1628

firm1646

appui1656

establish1664

shoulder1674

to keep up1681

upheave1729

withhold1769

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 455 Ȝour ryȝt honden holdeþ vp to God..And byhoteþ hym to be stable.

1455 E. Clere in Four C. Eng. Lett. 5 Then he hild up his hands and thankid God therof.

1558 B. Traheron Answ. Priv. Papiste sig. Biii I yeld vnto you this noble victorie, & hold vp my handes.

1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 43 Who name but Charles, hee comes aloft for him, But holds up his Malignant leg at Pym.

1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) ii. 157 Four great Pillars of Iasper..hold vp the back of this Altar.

1854 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 15 i. 49 The river..is held up in levels by 34 locks.

1894 Daily News 26 May 2/5 Four men..ordering the President..and the clerks to hold up their hands under threats of death, seized a sum of 2,500 dollars.

2. figurative. To support, sustain, maintain, keep up.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve in existence or maintain

at-holdc1220

to hold upc1290

maintaina1325

sustainc1390

sustent?a1425

preserve1427

sustentate1542

c1290 Beket 229 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 113 Swyþe wel bi-gan þis Ercedekne holi churche bi-lede, And stifliche heold op hire riȝte.

1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 6 To holde vp & meyntene þe poyntes.

?1465 J. Wymondham in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 313 How þat euer ye do, hold vp your manship.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 240 Winke each at other, holde the sweeete ieast vp.

1667 S. Pepys Diary 28 Jan. (1974) VIII. 35 He tells me gold holds up its price still.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 147 Austria, whose arms alone held up the petty despots.

3. To offer or present to notice; to exhibit, display; to present in a particular aspect; to put up as a candidate (quot. 1813).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)]

i-taechec888

to lay … beforec1000

showlOE

givec1175

to lay outc1440

produce1459

propose1548

cite1549

product1563

broach1573

offer1583

to hold up1604

to bring in1608

project1611

to bring ona1715

to trot out1838

to bring up1868

muster1904

society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > choose for office [verb (transitive)] > propose as candidate

purposea1382

nominate1560

propound1573

to put up1573

propose1675

run1765

to hold up1813

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 22 To holde as twere the Mirrour vp to nature.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 556 What colour for my Visitation, shall I Hold vp before him?

1808 E. Inchbald in Brit. Theatre XIV. 4 To hold up to detestation vices, now no longer to be tolerated.

1813 W. Irving in Life & Lett. (1864) I. 293 William was held up for Congress, and..lost his election.

1860 Temple Bar 1 30 Bacon..has been held up to opprobrium.

1892 Sat. Rev. 30 Apr. 497/1 [He] held up the Government..to hatred and contempt.

4. To let alone, resign, give up (quot. a1529 for to hold on 1 at Phrasal verbs); to keep back, withhold; in Cards, to keep in one's hand, refrain from playing.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)]

forsakec893

forlet971

to reach upOE

agiveOE

yield?c1225

uptake1297

up-yield1297

yield1297

deliverc1300

to-yielda1375

overgivec1384

grant1390

forbeara1400

livera1400

forgoc1400

upgive1415

permit1429

quit1429

renderc1436

relinquish1479

abandonc1485

to hold up?1499

enlibertyc1500

surrender1509

cess1523

relent1528

to cast up?1529

resignate1531

uprender1551

demit1563

disclaim1567

to fling up1587

to give up1589

quittance1592

vail1593

enfeoff1598

revoke1599

to give off1613

disownc1620

succumb1632

abdicate1633

delinquish1645

discount1648

to pass away1650

to turn off1667

choke1747

to jack up1870

chuck up (the sponge)1878

chuckc1879

unget1893

sling1902

to jack in1948

punt1966

to-leave-

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep what is due to or desired by another

ofholdOE

withholdc1200

abstaina1387

keep?1463

to hold up?1499

refrain?1504

outhold1512

detainc1535

to keep back1535

subtracta1538

substract1542

to hold out1907

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play a card [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics

to hold up?1499

decardc1555

to turn up1580

discard1591

pulla1625

to sit out1659

face1674

to make out1680

to lay out1687

to throw away1707

lead1739

weaken1742

carry1744

to take in1744

force1746

to show down1768

throw1866

blank1884

block1884

cover1885

unblock1885

pitch1890

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play at cards [verb (intransitive)] > actions or tactics

pass1599

pluck1606

pulla1625

to play high1640

to follow suit1643

to play at forsat1674

lead1677

overdrawc1805

stand1813

retract1823

underplay1850

to hold up1879

to throw in one's hand1893

build1901

build-down1983

?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Avi^v Holde vp the helme loke vp & lete god stere.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Esdras v. 72 The Heithen in the londe..helde vp the buyldinge from them.

1807 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 70 We..hold it up until we know the result of the instructions of February the 3rd.

1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 111 You may make a trump by holding up.

1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 198 Prone to hold up ace, knave.

1894 14th Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 70 When..a cow holds up her milk there is some disturbing element.

5. (U.S.) To stop by force and rob on the highway. (From the robbers' practice of commanding their victims to hold up their hands on pain of being shot; = Australian to stick up.) Also, to arrest the progress of, obstruct the passage of (literal and figurative).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > cause to be arrested or intercepted in progress

warna1250

foreclosec1290

dit1362

stayc1440

stopc1440

set1525

suppress1547

bar1578

frontier1589

stay1591

intercepta1599

to cut off1600

interpose1615

lodgea1616

obstruct1621

stifle1629

sufflaminate1656

stick1824

to hold up1887

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > hinder or delay

bestayc1330

tarry1340

delaya1393

to put aback1450

to pull backa1470

retard1490

tarde1524

retary1526

to throw back1562

forslow1570

backward1594

detain1600

to set back1600

slug1605

retardate1613

tardya1616

taigle?1635

backen1649

remore1652

remorate1657

to cast back1671

to hold up1887

to knock back1945

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > rob [verb (transitive)] > hold up

to stick up1838

to hold up1887

1887 A. A. Hayes Jesuit's Ring 228 Any man could hold up a wagon.

1894 Times 22 Oct. 5/4 At noon yesterday four unmasked men ‘held up’ a Texas Pacific train near that place.

1904 Philadelphia Evening Telegr. 15 Nov. 1 Out of the 900 steerage passengers that came over on the Merion, 135 failed to pass the immigration inspectors, and were held up.

1905 N.Y. Evening Post 16 Mar. 1 Another landslide has occurred..and nine passenger trains are held up in the mountains.

1906 N.Y. Herald 5 Mar. 5 It is thought the Senate Finance Committee will seek to devise new excuses for holding up the investigation of the State Banking Department, which it has succeeded in smothering for five weeks.

1909 H. N. Casson C. H. McCormick: Life & Work 146 One bill for £15 was held up for a week because it was not properly drawn.

1972 Daily Hampshire Gaz. (Northampton, Mass.) 9 May 1/3 A passing motorist asked Witkos if he was ‘going to let them hold up the traffic all day?’

6. intransitive (for reflexive). To keep up, not to fall: usually addressed to a horse.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > incite a horse by shouting or making a noise

to stand up1656

chuck1824

to call on ——1832

to hold up1860

1860 G. J. Whyte-Melville Holmby House xviii. 266 ‘Hold up!’ exclaimed Humphrey, as the sorrel cleared a high wall, with a drop into a sandy lane.

1890 A. Conan Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxxiii. 264 ‘Hold up, will ye!’ The last remark was addressed to the horse, which had stumbled.

7. To maintain one's position or state; to endure, hold out; in Hunting, to keep up the pace.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue

bidec893

ofstandeOE

astandc1000

restOE

holdc1175

dure1297

akeepc1300

lastc1300

arrest1393

containc1400

perseverec1425

reserve1529

to run on1533

to stick by ——1533

persist1538

persist1539

to hold up1582

retaina1631

persist1659

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (intransitive)] > keep up the pace

to hold up1892

1582 in Bible (Rheims) Acts iv. (annot.) Let no Catholike man be scandalized that this heresie holdeth vp for a time.

a1694 J. Tillotson Wks. (1820) I. 457 Some few stout and obstinate minds, which, without the assistance of philosophy, could have held up pretty well of themselves.

1708 S. Ockley Conquest of Syria 270 The Saracens..made Shift to hold up till Night parted them.

1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 89 ‘O pray God that he hold up’ she thought ‘Or surely I shall shame myself and him’.

1888 Mrs. Notley Power of Hand I. xii. 144 If this wind holds up..we shall catch the coast..in six hours.

1892 Field 23 July 124/1 Having arrived at the starting point..Prince is told to ‘hold up’—an order which he obeys with alacrity.

8. To give in, submit, surrender (obsolete); to check oneself, refrain, ‘pull up’ (U.S. colloquial).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]

to let bec1000

fastOE

withdraw1297

letc1374

forbearc1375

abstaina1382

sparec1386

respitea1393

to let alonea1400

refraina1402

supersede1449

deport1477

to hold one's handa1500

spare1508

surcease1542

detract1548

to hold back1576

hold1589

to stand by1590

to hold up1596

suspend1598

stickle1684

to hold off1861

to bottle it1988

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > give way or give in

benda1400

sink?a1513

to give over1530

to cry creak?1562

yield1576

to hold up1596

succumb1604

to give in1616

to hoist, lower, strike the topsaila1629

to cry cravena1634

to give up or cross the cudgels1654

incumb1656

to fall in1667

to knock under1670

to knock under board, under (the) table1692

to strike underc1730

knuckle down1735

to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860

chuck up (the sponge)1864

to throw in one's hand1893

to sky the wipe (or towel)1907

to drop one's bundle1915

to throw (chuck, or toss) in the towel1915

to buckle up1927

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 195 How lang thair lyfe was in, tha neuer held vp.

1843 M. F. Maury in D. F. M. Corbin Life M. F. Maury (1888) 46 The doctor said I was destroying myself with over-much head-work, and..I have had to hold up somewhat.

1879 W. D. Howells Lady of Aroostook (1882) I. xii. 170 I see your difficulty plainly enough, and I think you're quite right in proposing to hold up.

9. To keep from raining (when there is a threatening of rain); rarely, to cease raining, clear up. (Said of the weather, the day; also of the rain.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > remain fine

to hold up1601

hold1893

1601 J. Deacon & J. Walker Dialogicall Disc. Spirits & Diuels 213 They may then cause it to hold vp, when it should raine, and to raine, when it should hold vp.

1700 S. Sewall Diary 17 May (1973) I. 431 It rains hard. Holds up about 5 p.m.

a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) I. xi. 184 Perhaps..it [sc. the weather] may hold up .

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxiv. 302 Jack, my boy, go out and see if the evening holds up.

1891 Field 21 Nov. 791/2 The day held up wonderfully, in spite of lowering clouds.

Draft additions June 2017

transitive. Tennis. To win (one's service game). Frequently in to hold (one's) serve. Also intransitive.

ΚΠ

1920 W. T. Tilden Art of Lawn Tennis vi. 53 By dropping that game, the score will go 2–3 and 3-all if your opponent holds service.

1921 Amer. Lawn Tennis 15 Sept. 408/3 After many deuces, Tilden managed to hold his serve, and then broke through Johnston's.

1931 Amer. Lawn Tennis 5 Aug. 24/3 Doeg held serve for 3—5, but Vines..settled down and ran out the match at 6—3 for a well earned victory.

1936 E. C. Potter Kings of Court vi. 99 If Brookes had been able to hold his service..it might have gone for a straight-set win.

1954 B. Wilkinson Last Clear Chance v. 51 So the games went, myself holding serve with difficulty but still holding, until four-all.

1998 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 16 May e3/1 Chang struggled to hold service and repeatedly came up short on rallies from the baseline.

2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 10 July Both players struggled on their own serve in the second set, but Reid finally held to go 5-4 up.

Draft additions September 2008

colloquial. to hold all the cards: to have the advantage; to have the upper hand.Often as part of an extended metaphor; see quot. 1840.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > have grounds for expecting success

to have or go in upon good cards1554

to have or go in upon good cards1606

to hold all the cards1840

1840 C. Dickens Master Humphrey's Clock I. 138 Let me..play a fairer game than when you held all the cards, and I saw but the backs and nothing more.

1896 Davenport (Iowa) Daily Leader 29 Apr. 2/1 Kruger holds all the cards in that South African squabble.

1922 J. A. Dunn Girl of Ghost Mountain xvi. 241 They hold all the cards. They can afford to wait.

2002 Daily Mirror 31 May 45/4 If a certain someone now holds all the cards and is calling all the shots, you may feel a teeny bit resentful.

Draft additions January 2010

to hold (a person or thing) responsible: to regard (a person or thing) as accountable, answerable, or culpable; to consider (a person or thing) as the cause or catalyst. Frequently with for. Also reflexive. Cf. responsible adj. 3.

ΚΠ

1665 E. Waterhouse Gentlemans Monitor Introd. 1 Nor ought I to hold my self much responsible to Mine own Family.

1737 O. Sedgewick World turn'd Inside-out vii. 103 I should hold myself responsible for all the Inconveniences the Person I made the Promise to.

1795 R. Cumberland Henry III. iii. 23 A lady under his protection, and for whose redress he holds himself responsible.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 364 For their absence the king was held responsible.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §5. 385 Each town and parish was held responsible for the relief of its indigent and disabled poor.

1955 ‘P. Dennis’ Auntie Mame viii. 189 I cannot be held responsible for the sexual preferences of my associates.

2002 Observer 21 Apr. (Drugs Uncovered Suppl.) 62/1 Blue Mystic or 2C-T-7..found underground notoriety on the US dance scene, and been held responsible for a number of teen deaths.

Draft additions September 2018

to hold away intransitive. To keep away, stay away; to keep at a distance from something or someone. Also figurative. See also hadaway int.Chiefly Scottish until late 19th cent.

ΚΠ

1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iv. i. sig. G Gentlew. Here's some few Angels for your Lordship... Gond. Keepe off. Gentlew. A small gratuit for your kindnesse. Gond. Hold away.

?1701 3 Excellent New Songs (single sheet) Had awa', bide awa', Had awa' frae me, Donald; I'll neither kiss nor hae a ring, Nae tartan plaids for me, Donald.

1785 R. Forbes tr. Ovid in Select Coll. Poems Buchan Dial. 24 They had awa' frae you; they ken Ye're but an useless folp.

1867 Argosy July 82 ‘Haud awa' frae that basket, ye wuddyfous’..he cried, darting towards the hamper he had left in the entry.

1899 K. Chopin Awakening x. 68 Of late he had sometimes held away from her for an entire day, redoubling his devotion upon the next..as though to make up for hours that had been lost.

1919 Harper's Mag. Dec. 38/1 Why, she had held away from the things one most wants from life just to keep from knowing what she was knowing now.

1944 N.Y. Times 26 Jan. 5/3 Of all the twenty-one American republics Argentina alone has held away from the Allied camp.

2001 J. M. Vesely Shadows on Land 343 They often went for long walks together, or fished the riverbanks for big catfish that held away from the current, suspended in the deep undercuts or among the submerged limbs of deadfallen trees.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	hold
释义	holdn.¹ Forms: Old English heald, Old English–Middle English (Middle English–1700s northern) hald, Middle English–1600s holde, Middle English– hold; also Middle English northern halde, Middle English– Scottish and northern hauld, 1500s–1600s hould(e, 1800s Scottish haud, dialect hod. See also holt n.² Etymology: < hold v.; Old English had heald in senses 1, 7, but in other senses the word is only Middle English or later. I. The action or fact of holding. 1. †a. The action or fact of having in charge, keeping, guarding, possessing, etc.; keeping, occupation, possession; defence, protection, rule. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > [noun] holda1100 havea1200 possession?a1380 ight1390 havingc1400 haviourc1400 possessingc1450 fee-simple1463 possessorship1830 society > authority > control > [noun] > charge holda1100 yemselc1175 ward?c1225 carec1540 matronizing1832 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] holda1100 witiing13.. keepinga1425 ampare1587 guard1596 warding1633 advigilation1663 watch-care1845 wardening1962 watchdogging1962 a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1036 Gecuron Harold to healdes ealles Engla landes. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5026 Forr all þin hellpe. & all þin hald Iss upp o godess are. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 68 All' yreland rewme was in hys halde. c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 730 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 28 He ȝalde þe spyrit, of god in-to þe halde. 1487 Act 4 Hen. VII c. 16 Many Dwelling-places..have of late time been used to be taken in one Man's Hold and Hands. 1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces i. sig. B.3 Priuate by nature be no thynges, but eyther by olde occupyenge and holde,..or els that be got by victorye. 1586 D. Rowland tr. H. de Mendoza Pleasant Hist. Lazarillo (1672) U viij a They gave me the hold and possession of the Hermitage. b. Tenure. Cf. copyhold n., freehold n. and adj., etc. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > action or fact of tenementa1325 tenantry1391 holding1420 manuring1436 tenure1442 manurance?1467 occupying1577 tenancy1590 holda1647 a1647 T. Habington Surv. Worcs. (Worcs. Hist. Soc.) (1895) I. ii. 185 For thys parishe..was as they saye of St. Peter's houlde. 1774 T. West Antiq. Furness (1805) 132 For the fyns and customs of the hold, as well of the said coppyholders as of the customary tenants. 1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby ‘He has his land under a good hod’, on easy terms. 2. a. The action or an act of keeping in hand, or grasping by some physical means; grasp: esp. in to catch, get, lay, lose, seize, hold (see also these verbs). Also, an opportunity of holding, sometimes almost concrete, something to hold by. (The main current sense.) ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > [noun] holda1300 holding1545 handhold1655 a1300 Cursor Mundi 24451 To climb had i na hald. a1350 Childh. Jesus 652 He tolde, How Jesues picher with outen holde Hangude on þe sonne bem. a1400–50 Alexander 1440 And qua sa leddirs had nane..Wald gett þam hald with þair hend & on-loft clyme. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxiv. [cxvi.] 3 The paynes of hell gat holde vpon me. 1537 W. Tyndale Expos. Epist. John 80 The deuel can ketch no hold on them. 1568 E. Tilney Brief Disc. Mariage sig. Civ^v See I pray you..how soone this Ladie, hath gotten holde of that sentence. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. x. 86 Wrestlers..annointed with oyle.. to the intent to give or to take the lesse hold the one of the other. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 238 Let goe thy hold . View more context for this quotation 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 32 Like men drowning, that get hold on every twig. 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler ii. 53 Leather-mouth'd fishes, of which a hook does scarce ever lose his hold . View more context for this quotation a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1693) I. 222 As the stepping of Children when they begin to go by hold. 1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 167 The Officers..were laid hold on. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §239 (note) Every force exerted to drive the wad out..tends to make it take the stronger hold. 1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present ii. xvi. 169 The..hand..suddenly quits hold. 1871 L. Stephen Playground of Europe ii. 102 The hold was generally firm when the fissures were not filled with ice. b. in Wrestling, Boxing, and Judo. in holds, at grips. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [noun] > manoeuvres swengOE turn?c1225 castc1400 trip1412 fall?a1425 foil1553 collar1581 lock1598 faulx1602 fore-hip1602 forward1602 inturn1602 mare1602 hug1617 disembracement1663 buttock1688 throw1698 back-lock1713 cross-buttock1713 flying horse1713 in holds1713 buttocker1823 chip1823 dogfall1823 cross-buttocker1827 hitch1834 bear hug1837 backfall1838 stop1840 armlock1841 side hug1842 click1846 catch-hold1849 back-breaker1867 back-click1867 snap1868 hank1870 nelson1873 headlock1876 chokehold1886 stranglehold1886 hip lock1888 heave1889 strangle1890 pinfall1894 strangler's grip1895 underhold1895 hammer-lock1897 scissor hold1897 body slam1899 scissors hold1899 armbar1901 body scissors1903 scissors grip1904 waist-hold1904 neck hold1905 scissors1909 hipe1914 oshi1940 oshi-dashi1940 oshi-taoshi1940 pindown1948 lift1958 whip1958 Boston crab1961 grapevine1968 powerbomb1990 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > actions or positions first bloodc1540 guard1601 feint1684 in holds1713 shifting1793 rally1805 muzzler1811 one-two1811 stop1812 southpaw1813 fibbing1814 leveller1814 mouther1814 ribber1814 stomacher1814 teller1814 in-fighting1816 muzzling1819 weaving1821 out-fighting1831 arm guard1832 countering1858 counter1861 clinching1863 prop1869 clinch1875 right and left1887 hook-hit1890 hook1898 cross1906 lead1906 jolt1908 swing1910 body shot1918 head shot1927 bolo punch1950 snap-back1950 counterpunch1957 counterpunching1957 Ali shuffle1966 rope-a-dope1975 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > [adverb] > at grips on a lock1598 in holds1891 1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play sig. A2^v A thorough pac'd Wrestler, Perfect and Quick, in breaking and taking all Holds. 1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play 4 Hand hold. 1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play 14 Under hold. 1713 T. Parkyns Inn-play 22 Upper hold. 1714 T. Parkyns Inn-play (ed. 2) Index sig. I^v Collar Hold. 1870 Blaine's Encycl. Rural Sports (rev. ed.) §463 Some advantage..such as catching his heel, mending his hold. 1891 Sportsman 8 July 6/3 Then they closed again, and were still in holds when time was called. 1954 E. Dominy Teach Yourself Judo iii. 39 Theoretically, a hold consists of nothing more than controlling your opponent's body with the weight of your own. c. (with) no holds barred, (with) all restrictions relaxed. Also as attributive.phr. ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > without restraint [phrase] > without restriction or limit without reserve1658 the sky's the limit1908 (with) no holds barred1942 no strings attached1951 1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §217/6. 1952 Economist 1 Nov. 313/1 An independent [broadcasting] agency..could talk back at the Russians with no holds barred. 1958 Times 28 Nov. 13/6 No holds were barred, so to speak, for the Prince's unorthodox education and his own reputedly emancipated views allowed almost every hypothesis. 1961 Economist 6 May 524/1 Waging.. a sweaty, no-holds-barred tussle all around the world without benefit of parley. 1972 Real Estate Rev. Winter 29/1 This allows trust managers to compete on a no-holds-barred basis. 3. a. figurative. A grasp which is not physical. ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [noun] > means of control > a hold upon holda1400 tie1619 roota1715 purchase1790 nose-hold1797 twist1880 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9350 It tok neuer in þer hertes hald. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. QQQiii^v Howe lytell holde or surety man hath by them. 1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Cviij^v That constaunt hold of any thyng, whiche is in the mynde. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 344 Tarry Iew, the law hath yet another hold on you. View more context for this quotation a1628 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith 134 in Breast-plate of Faith (1631) They are small things of no hold. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 406 On your joynt vigor now My hold of this new Kingdom all depends. View more context for this quotation 1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 292 When the Disease has taken any Hold of the Patient. 1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. i. iv. 36 The Abbé had obtained a wonderful hold over Aubrey. 1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. xvii. 314 It was the very part [of England] where the Frenchman could most easily gain and keep his hold. 1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 17 Their old religion had no great hold on the common people. b. Nautical. (See quots.) ΚΠ 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Hold, in navigation, is generally understood to signify a particular situation of the ship with regard to the shore... Keep a good hold of the land..implying to keep near, or in sight of the land. 1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 177 Keep a good hold of the land, to keep as near it as can be done with safety. 4. Confinement, custody, imprisonment. Chiefly in in hold ( †in holds, at, to hold). archaic. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > confinement > [noun] prisonOE bonda1225 beclosing?c1225 narrowth?c1225 holdc1330 banda1400 festinance1426 duressc1430 enclosingc1440 closeness1530 durancea1535 closure1592 reclusedness1613 confinement1646 immurement1736 immuration1895 hack1899 prisonment1900 lockdown1973 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 120 Mald at þe last kyng Steuen scho toke, & led him to Bristow, & did him þer in hold. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds xxii. 4 Byndinge to gidere and drawinge into holdis men and wymmen. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17320, l. 17321 Þai..bad þam do him up at hald, In a hald in prisun state. c1400 Melayne 583 We were taken in to holde. ?c1510 tr. Newe Landes & People founde by Kynge of Portyngale sig. Dii^v The people..hadde put in prysone or in holde the great kynge Alexander of Macedonien. 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 1225/1 The said Storie hauing beene a while deteined in prison, at the last..brake foorth of hold. 1658 J. Bramhall Consecration Protestant Bishops Justified vi. 129 Father Oldcorne being in hold for the powder treason. 1879 G. A. Sala in Daily Tel. 26 June Where ear-cropt Prynne and Bastwick..lay in cruel hold for daring to assert the liberty of free writing. 5. †a. Retention; restraint. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > [noun] havingeOE holdc1230 withholdingc1386 restrainingc1390 refraininga1398 repression?a1425 repressing1431 bridlingc1443 restraint1443 restrainc1449 repressurec1487 restingc1503 abstention1521 controlling1523 controlment1525 distrain1531 staying1563 control1564 refrain1568 retention1578 check1579 restrainment1579 refranation1583 cohibition1586 withholdment1640 curbing1661 coercion1827 chastenment1882 detent1907 clamp-down1940 c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 40 Þear is meast neod hald hwen þe tunge is o rune. c1430 Syr. Gener. 9240 There was noo hold but to go. 1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 216 Na hald agayn, na hoo is at thy hips. 1680 H. More Apocalypsis Apocalypseos 225 And this is a good hold to the Church from relapsing into Heathenism again. b. A delay, pause, postponement. Also attributive. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun] > a delay spacea1413 sojourn?1507 moraa1633 moratorium1932 hang-fire1936 hold1961 1961 Observer 28 May 4/2 The long countdowns, checks and ‘holds’ possible at Cape Canaveral would be suicide on the moon. 1968 Time 27 Dec. 13 The countdown schedule had been padded with enough precautionary hold time to enable technicians to replace the oxygen without delaying the launch. 1969 New Scientist 27 Feb. 439/1 Unless there has been a last-minute ‘hold’ at Cape Kennedy, the first of a pair of Mariner spacecraft should now be on its way. 1971 Daily Tel. 4 Jan. 2/4 Concorde, counting time for ‘taxi-ing’ and ‘holds’ could arrive in New York at 7 a.m. after taking off from Heathrow at eight. 1971 Nature 26 Nov. 181/2 Liquid-fueled rockets..could not be kept in the launching tower in a ‘hold’ status to await a transient event. c. A facility offered by some telephone systems whereby an incoming connection is held open automatically until the person called is free to take or return to the call; frequently attributive as hold button, etc. Usually (of a caller) in adverbial phrase on hold; also figurative, (in the state of being) postponed, delayed; awaiting action. Originally U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [phrase] > delayed in retard1836 on hold1965 society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > by means of telephone [phrase] > on hold on hold1965 society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > telephone > telephone facilities automatic dialler1922 dialler1922 autodial1934 autodialler1960 redial1960 auto-answer1961 hold1965 camp-on1975 caller ID1978 voicebank1988 society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > telephone > telephone facilities > button that provides hold facility hold button1965 1965 Business Etiquette Handbk. (Parker Publishing Co.) xv. 131 When your telephone has no ‘hold’ button..be discreet in your remarks while the caller is holding on... Don't put the second call on hold and just leave it there. 1971 D. E. Westlake I gave at Office (1972) 19 I put him on hold and called Mr. Clarebridge. 1973 Ottawa Jrnl. 21 Feb. 54/4 Our sex life is on hold until after the 10 p.m. sportscast. 1976 National Observer (U.S.) 17 Apr. 10/5 To place the first caller on ‘hold’ and answer the second, I merely touch the handset button once and the new call is on the line. 1976 N. Postman Crazy Talk 45 Everything goes on hold until the rules get straightened out. 1983 Fortune 14 Nov. 10/3 It offers conference calls, an office intercom system, and even that maddening canned music for callers put on hold. 1984 Southern Rag No. 22. 5/3 If you stay at home, you select your own artists, put them on hold if the baby cries, and move about freely in your own home. 1985 Times 5 June 16/6 (heading) Why auto is still on hold. †6. Contention, struggle, pulling opposite ways; opposition, resistance; chiefly in hard hold, strong or tough struggle. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > dissent > contention or strife > [noun] i-winc888 wrestlingc890 fightc1000 flitec1000 teenOE winOE ungrithlOE wara1200 cockingc1225 strife?c1225 strivingc1275 struta1300 barratc1300 thro1303 battlec1375 contentionc1384 tuggingc1440 militationa1460 sturtc1480 bargain1487 bargaining1489 distrifea1500 concertation1509 hold1523 conflict1531 ruffle1532 tangling1535 scamblingc1538 tuilyie1550 bustling1553 tilt1567 ruffling1570 wresting1570 certationc1572 pinglinga1578 reluctation1593 combating1594 yoking1594 bandying1599 tention1602 contrast1609 colluctation1611 contestationa1616 dimication1623 rixation1623 colluctance1625 decertation1635 conflicting1640 contrasto1645 dispute1647 luctation1651 contest1665 stickle1665 contra-colluctation1674 contrasting1688 struggle1706 yed1719 widdle1789 scrambling1792 cut and thrust1846 headbutting1869 push-and-pull1881 contending1882 thrust and parry1889 aggro1973 1523 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 220 Sithens the begynnyng of the Parliamente there hathe bene the grettiste and soreste hold in the lower Hous for the payemente of ij^s. of the li. that ever was sene..in any parliamente. 1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare vi. 367 As touchinge Plato, it seemeth, there was harde holde, when a Natural Philosopher must stande foorth, to proue Christes Mysteries. 1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 600/2 There was hard hold about it in that Court. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 103^v Great hold ther hath bene who should proue his loue best. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xlii. xxiii. 1128. 1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. ii. xvii. 218 But the hardest hold of all was with the Lusitanians, and Numantines. 1654 E. Johnson Hist. New-Eng. 106 Great hold and keepe there was about choice of Magistrates this yeare. II. concrete. That which holds or is held. †7. That which holds up or supports; a support, a defence. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports staffc1000 hold1042 source1359 legc1380 shorer1393 stabilimenta1398 upholder1398 sustentationa1400 undersetterc1400 bearinga1425 undersettinga1425 suppowellc1430 triclinec1440 sustentaclec1451 supportera1475 sustainerc1475 sustenal1483 stayc1515 buttress1535 underpinning1538 firmament1554 countenance1565 support1570 appuia1573 comfort1577 hypostasis1577 underpropping1586 porter1591 supportation1593 supportance1597 understaya1603 bearer1607 rest1609 upsetter1628 mountinga1630 sustent1664 underlay1683 holdfast1706 abutment1727 suppeditor1728 mount1739 monture1746 bed1793 appoggiatura1833 bracing1849 bench1850 under-pinner1859 bolster-piece1860 sustainer1873 table mount1923 1042 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 73 Wit synd ðisra landa hald and mund into ðam halgan mynstre ða hwile ðe unker lif bið. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 24095 Allane he was my hope & halde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 23929 Leuedi..þat es nu mi hope be þan mi hald, O gain þat brem þat es sa bald! †8. Property held; a possession, holding; spec. a tenement. Cf. copyhold n., freehold n. and adj., household n. and adj., leasehold n., etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > property held hold1303 society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > a legal holding > [noun] hold1303 tenementsa1325 tenementc1330 occupying1431 tenure1439 landholdinga1475 living1581 holding1640 occupation1792 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 7016 How he hadde lore a ryche holde, And for auaryce he hyt solde. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1772 Yuel ist bi-togen, Min swinc a-buten ðin holðe drogen. c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. i/1 That of ther londes and holdes they haue right. 1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 13 §14 No maner person..shal receiue or take in ferme..aboue the numbre of two suche holdes or tenementes. 1581 Compendious Exam. Certayne Ordinary Complaints ii. f. 15 My bargayne was to pay for my holde. a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F3 I am the landlord keeper of thy holds, By coppie all thy liuing lies in me. 9. A place of refuge, shelter, or temporary abode; a lurking-place (of animals). ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by habitat > habitat > [noun] > dwelling place or shelter houseOE denOE holdc1275 lying-placea1382 coucha1398 homea1398 logis1477 starting-hole1530 cabbage1567 lodge1567 lair1575 lay1590 squat1590 hover1602 denning1622 start-holea1641 bed1694 niche1725 shed1821 lying1834 basking-hole1856 lie1869 homesite1882 holt1890 lying-ground1895 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1927 Buten wuhlc wræcche swa cwic cuahte to holde. c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2807 Þe geaunt him gan lede Til he fond an hald. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7636 At Jarow stode walles alde, Whare some tyme was an abbot halde. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid viii. vi. 55 The auctoritie of god Apollyne, Hes me constrenyt to duell in this hald. a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. iii. 20 And osten [sic]..shall we finde The sharded-Beetle, in a safer hold Then is the full-wing'd Eagle. View more context for this quotation 1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 134/2 A Boare..when Lodged..Coucheth in his Den or Hold. 1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling (ed. 2) 37 His hold is usually under the roots of trees, and in hollow banks in the deepest parts of rivers. 1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xii. 193 Now they're out of house and hauld. 1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling iv. 85 Reed or rush beds,..all favourite holds. 10. A fortified place of defence; a fort or fortress; a stronghold n. archaic. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fort or fortified town > [noun] chestera855 boroughc893 fastnessOE strength?c1225 warnestore1297 fortress13.. holdc1330 strongholdc1384 motec1390 fortalicec1425 garnisonc1430 garrisonc1430 town of war1441 wall-town1488 strengh1489 afforciament1509 piece1525 forcea1552 citadel1567 fort1569 place1575 holt1600 alcazar1623 fasthold1623 afforcement1642 castle-town1646 post1648 garrison-town1649 bridlea1661 palank1685 place of arms1704 ostrog1761 qila1761 presidio1763 gurry1786 thana1803 pa1823 castrum1836 lis1845 Gibraltar1856 training post1867 kasbah1902 jong1904 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12773 Þe wode þey tok, Þat was bitwixt hem & Arthures hold. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17342 Þai ledd ioseph..To prisun in a stalworth hald [Trin. Cambr. a strong holde]. 1461 H. Windsor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 251 All the castelles and holdez in..Walez ar gyfen and yelden vp into the Kyngez hand. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9712 All his stid to distroy, and his stith holdis. 1552 Act 5 & 6 Edw. VI c. 11 §5 Castles, Fortresses, Fortilesses or Holds. 1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence v. 128 In seruice in the feild and in garnisons in the holdes. 1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 291 He..did seemingly plot with them..to have the Tower, Windsore Castle, and other Holds delivered to them. 1800 J. Stuart in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 572 When defeated there, it may be necessary to retire to the interior holds. 1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold II. vii. i. 157 A rude fortress..out of the ruins of some greater Roman hold. 11. a. Something which is laid hold of, or by or with which anything is grasped or laid hold of. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > parts of tools generally > [noun] > handle handleeOE helvec897 haftc1000 steal1377 start1380 handa1400 helmc1430 handlinga1450 pull1551 grasp1561 hilt1574 cronge1577 hold1578 tab1607 manubrium1609 tree1611 handfast1638 stock1695 handing1703 gripe1748 stem1796 handhold1797 grip1867 1578 J. Banister Hist. Man iv. f. 53 [The muscle] inserted by the stay of sinewy holdes, to all the ribbes. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 138 He that stands vpon a slipp'ry place, Makes nice of no vilde hold to stay him vp. View more context for this quotation 1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies (1665) 366 To conclude it a falling Cause which catcheth at such weak and unfaithful holds. 1848 F. Marryat Little Savage xxxvi Sharks..forming a semi-circle round me, watched with upturned eyes..the snapping of the frail hold that supported me upon the rock. 1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Hod, a handle. ‘A cannle-hod’, a candle-stick. b. A thing that holds something; as, a mortise, a lock in a river, a receptacle, etc. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > [noun] receivera1398 resetc1400 receipta1425 receptaclec1425 repository1485 receptorya1500 pot1503 container?1504 hold1517 containing?1541 continent?1541 receptable1566 nest1589 conceptacle1611 keep1617 house1625 reception1646 inholder1660 conceptaculum1691 penholder1815 holder1833 carrier1855 compactum1907 1517 R. Torkington Oldest Diarie Englysshe Trav. (1884) 43 The very hold or morteys hevyn [= hewn] owt of the stone Rooke wherin the Crosse stode. 1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire ix. 234 Locks, or Holds for water, made to let down flashes. 1885 Manch. Examiner 15 May 5/7 The first-class compartments are converted into ‘boots’ or holds only fit as receptacles for luggage. †12. Music. The sign now called a pause. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > pause sign pause1614 hold1660 stay1667 fermata1876 1660 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 3) i. 36 Hold..is placed over the Note which the Author intends should be held to a longer Measure than the Note contains. 1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 227/1 Hold, an old English name for the sign of a pause . 13. A prison-cell: = hole n. 2b. ΘΚΠ society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > prison > [noun] > cell houseOE cabinc1522 hole1535 lodging1612 hold1717 cell1728 lock-up room1775 glory-hole1825 box1834 drum1846 sweat-box1870 booby-hutch1889 Peter1890 booby1899 boob1908 flowery dell1925 slot1947 1717 Hist. Press-Yard 7 I was conducted to the door leading out of the lodge into the Condemn'd Hold. 1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera ii. x. 32 He told me in the Condemn'd Hold. 1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. i. 33 You were put into a species of Condemned Hold at the back. 14. Cinematography. (See quots.) ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > filming > special techniques > [noun] hold1918 slow motion1924 colourization1926 pixilation1947 Cinerama1950 memomotion1950 CinemaScope1953 Todd-AO1953 Vistavision1954 Panavision1955 Smell-O-Vision1958 kinescoping1961 blue screen1965 shaky camera1967 Imax1969 slo-mo1969 Omnimax1973 Sensurround1974 Pixelvision1987 shaky cam1988 society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > filming > special effect > [noun] > hold or freeze hold1940 freeze1960 freeze-frame1960 freeze-shot1960 frozen-frame1960 1918 H. Croy How Motion Pictures are Made vii. 179 If the story demands instantaneous materialization the effect is secured by a photographic means usually known as ‘the hold’. It is so called by reason of the fact that all the other characters in such a scene must hold their positions while the trick character is made to materialize. 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 418/2 Hold, the retention of an image on a screen longer than is natural. Phrases to take hold.See also to take (also have) (a) strong hold at strong adj. 15e. a. To get something by one's own act into one's (physical) hold; to grasp, seize: = to catch hold at catch v. Phrases 6, lay hold (lay v.¹ 22). Const. of; on, upon (archaic). Also said of things. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp i-fangc888 gripc950 repeOE befongOE keepc1000 latchc1000 hentOE begripec1175 becatchc1200 fang?c1200 i-gripea1225 warpa1225 fastenc1225 arepa1250 to set (one's) hand(s onc1290 kip1297 cleach?a1300 hendc1300 fasta1325 reachc1330 seizec1374 beclipc1380 takea1387 span1398 to seize on or upon1399 getc1440 handc1460 to catch hold1520 to take hold1530 to lay hold (up)on, of1535 grasple1553 to have by the backa1555 handfast1562 apprehend1572 grapple1582 to clap hold of1583 comprehend1584 graspa1586 attach1590 gripple1591 engrasp1593 clum1594 to seize of1600 begriple1607 fast hold1611 impalm1611 fista1616 to set (one's) hand to1638 to get one's hands on1649 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 748/2 I take holde apon one, jempoygne. 1611 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 161 To picke forth the ould lyme and morter that the new might better take hold. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 19 [The Indian] Figge-tree..whose branches..doe bend themselves downewards to the earth, where they take holde, and with new rooting multiply. 1754 J. Shebbeare Marriage Act II. lxiv. 217 [She] fell on her Knees..taking hold on the Skirt of his Coat. 1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vii. 156 Take haud o' my arm, my winsome leddy! b. figurative. To get a person or thing into its (or one's) ‘hold’ or power; usually with of (on, upon archaic); of a feeling, a disease, etc.: to seize and affect forcibly and more or less permanently; of fire, to ‘lay hold’ of (something), begin to burn. Also, to seize, avail oneself of (an opportunity). ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > get into one's or its control temea1387 to take hold1577 to lay, fasten a gripe on, upona1586 amenage1590 to get (a person, etc.) where the hair is short1872 cinch1875 to get a handle on1901 to sew up1904 1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. vi. i. 164 A thing latelie sproong vp, when pampering of the bellie began to take hold. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 225 Hence least that the infection of his fortune take like hold on thee. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) i. iii. 55 Nor doth the generall care Take hold on [1622 of] me. 1708 J. C. Compl. Collier 7 in T. Nourse Mistery of Husbandry Discover'd (ed. 3) Another dangerous sort of bad Air, but of a fiery Nature like Lightning,..if it takes hold of the Candle. 1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 292 When the Disease has taken any Hold of the Patient. 1889 ‘M. Gray’ Reproach of Annesley iii. vi A sense of her bitter bereaval took hold of her. c. (with of) To take possession and management of, take under one's control. ? U.S. ΚΠ 1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 222 They..know that a company of moneyed men taking hold of their camp will have to spend a considerable amount of money before they can expect to recoup their investment. 1897 R. Kipling Captains Courageous ix No, I only capt—took hold of the ‘Blue M.’ freighters—Morgan and M'Quade's old line—this summer. †d. To attach itself, take root. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > be stable [verb (intransitive)] to take holda1400 radicate1602 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 10009 Þat er four vertus principalys,..All oþer vertus of þaim tas [Vesp. has] hald. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9350 (MED) It tok neuer in þer hertes hald. e. To apply oneself to action; to set to; to take an active part. dialect and U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] found12.. to take on (also upon) one(self)a1300 assay1330 study1340 to put (also lay, set, etc.) one's hand to the ploughc1384 intendc1385 pressc1390 to put oneself in pressc1390 gatherc1400 undertakec1405 sayc1425 to fall in hand with (also to do (something))c1450 setc1485 obligea1500 essay?1515 attend1523 supprise1532 to set in foot1542 enterprise1547 address1548 to set in hand1548 prove1612 to make it one's businessa1628 engage1646 embark1647 bend1694 to take hold1868 1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. 518 Tak' hold, to undertake; an office, or specified performance or duty. 1870 L. M. Alcott Old-fashioned Girl xi. 217 I'm in despair, and shall have to take hold myself, I'm afraid. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. III. lxxxvi. 153 To believe that things will come out right whether he ‘takes hold’ himself or not. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022). holdn.² Brit. /həʊld/, U.S. /hoʊld/ Forms: Also 1600s holt, hould, howld. Etymology: Corruption of earlier holl n., hole n., probably by association with hold n.¹ Compare also Middle Dutch and Dutch hol (a1500) in same sense. The interior cavity in a ship or vessel below the deck (or lower deck), where the cargo is stowed. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > bottom or part under water > [noun] > hold bosomOE hole1483 holl1488 howe1513 hold1591 c1470 Henry Wallace ix. 122 Bathe schip maistir, and the ster man also, In the holl, but baid, he gert thaim go. c1470 Henry Wallace x. 836 Out off the holl thai tuk skynnys gud speid. 1483 Cath. Angl. 187/2 An Hole,..columbar est nauis. c1490 Promptorium Parvulorum 243/1 (Pynson & MS. K) Holle [c1440 hoole of a schyppe], carina. ?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 805/30 Hoc columbar, the holle of the schyp. ?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 804/43 Hec carina, a holle. 1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems W. Dunbar (1998) I. 215 Foul brow, in holl thou preposit for to pas.] 1591 W. Raleigh Rep. Fight Iles of Açores sig. B4^v That the shippe had sixe foote water in hold. 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. M^v As a man falls in a ship from the oreloope into the holde. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 62 You haue not seene a hulke better stuft in the hold . View more context for this quotation a1618 W. Raleigh Observ. Royal Navy (1650) 25 If many had not been stricken downe into Holt in many voyages. 1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ii. 12 The Cooke-roome..may bee placed..in the Hould. 1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) The Howld [1706 hold] of a Ship, the Room between the Keilson and lower Decks. 1678 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery (new ed.) 11 The Hole of some Amsterdam Fly-boat.] 1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World i. 2 That I might have room to strike down some of my guns into the Hold. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Building The pointers..are..fixed across the hold diagonally. 1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II xlii. 140 Again blew A gale, and in the fore and after hold Water appear'd. 1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 97 Abaft the main hole.] Compounds hold-beam n., hold-stanchion (see quot. 1867²). hold-book n. a book containing an account of the cargo of a vessel. hold-stringer n. a stringer or shelf piece for receiving the end of a hold-beam. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [noun] > cargo > book or list of cargo manifest1697 hold-book1801 society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > timbers of hull > deck or hold beams transom1545 beam1627 wing-transom1711 stool1797 hold-beam1801 breast beam1805 skid beam1846 beak-head-beam1850 cat-beam1850 deck-beam1858 main-transom1867 spale1867 society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > timbers of hull > other timbers supporting beams pointer1750 shelf-piece1830 shelf1845 beam-arm1850 fork-beam1850 hold-stanchion1867 society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > timbers of hull > interior plank connecting ribs stringer1830 box stringer1858 bilge-stringer1869 hold-stringer1869 wiring1878 1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Chron. 67/1 The hold-beams had shrunk so considerably, that where there was room before to stand nearly upright, you could now only crawl on hands and knees. 1803 W. Ramsay in Naval Chron. 9 269 That a hold-book be kept to ascertain the stowage. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold-beams, the lowest range of beams in a merchantman. In a man-of-war they support the orlop-deck. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold-stanchions, those which support the hold-beams amidships, and rest on the kelson. 1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding viii. 158 The heels of the stanchions are formed differently in different ships..to connect them with the keelsons or hold-stringers. 1874 S. J. P. Thearle Naval Archit. (new ed.) I. 118 Hold stringers sometimes consist of plates and angle-irons, and at others, of angle-irons only. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022). holdn.³ Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse hǫldr. Etymology: < Old Norse hǫldr (in early manuscripts haulðr, haulþr), identified by Bugge with Old English hæleð, German held, in Norse law ‘a kind of higher yeoman, the owner of allodial land’, poetic a ‘man’. Now historical. In Old English times, the title of an officer of high rank in the Danelaw, corresponding to the High Reeve amongst the English. ΘΚΠ society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > chief magistrate of a district > [noun] > in Danelaw holdc910 c910 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 905 On ðara Deniscena healfe wearð ofslægen..Ysopa hold & Oscytel hold. c1000 Wergilds c. 2 §4 in Schmid Gesetze 396 Holdes and cyninges heah-gerefan . iiii. þusend þrymsa. 1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 225 Archbishops, Eorles, Bishops, Ealdormen, Holdes, Hehgerefas, Messethegnes, and Werldthegnes. 1717 Blount's Law-Dict. (ed. 3) Holdes, Bailiffs of a Town or City. 1872 E. W. Robertson Hist. Ess. 177 In later times, the Eorl and Hold seem to have answered amongst the Danish population of Northumbria, to the Ealderman and Heah-gerefa amongst the Angles. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2021). † holdn.⁴ Etymology: Old English hold, cognate with Old Norse hold (Danish huld, Swedish hull), flesh. Obsolete. A carcass, dead body, corpse. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > dead body > [noun] lichc893 dust?a1000 holdc1000 bonesOE stiff onea1200 bodyc1225 carrion?c1225 licham?c1225 worms' food or ware?c1225 corsec1250 ashc1275 corpsec1315 carcass1340 murraina1382 relicsa1398 ghostc1400 wormes warec1400 corpusc1440 scadc1440 reliefc1449 martc1480 cadaverc1500 mortc1500 tramort?a1513 hearse1530 bulk1575 offal1581 trunk1594 cadaverie1600 relicts1607 remains1610 mummya1616 relic1636 cold meat1788 mortality1827 death bone1834 deader1853 stiff1859 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxiv. 28 Swa hwær swa hold byð, þæder beoð earnas gegaderude. 11.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 551/24 [Cad]auer, lic. uel hold. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 183 Aweilewei þu fule hold þat ich auere was to þe iteied. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † holdn.⁵ Forms: Also holde. Etymology: < hold adj.; Old English had hyldo in the same sense = Old Saxon, Old High German huldí , German huld , noun of quality < hold adj. Obsolete. Allegiance, fidelity. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [noun] truthOE trotha1225 trueness?c1225 fayc1300 hold13.. lewtyc1330 faithfulnessc1400 perseverance?a1439 adherence1449 familiarityc1450 fidelity1509 devotiona1530 adherency1579 reality1616 rightness1625 lealty1861 lealness1882 13.. K. Alis. 2912 Alle..swore heom holde, and lewte. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † holdadj. Forms: Also Middle English heold, Middle English hoild, huld, old. Etymology: Old English hold = Old Frisian, Old Saxon hold (Middle Dutch hout , houd- , Dutch hou ), Old High German holt (Middle High German holt , hold- , German hold ), Old Norse hollr (Danish, Swedish huld ), Gothic hulþs , favourably inclined, gracious, merciful: compare Gothic wilja-halþei benevolence, and hilþan to be inclined; probably < same root as hield v. Obsolete. 1. Gracious, kind, friendly. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] holdc893 friendOE fellowly?c1225 couthlyc1275 friendfulc1379 amiablea1382 commonc1384 queema1400 lovely1409 acquaintablea1425 familiarc1425 great1483 friendlikea1500 towardly15.. amicable1532 friendable1569 amical1580 graceful?1593 accostable1611 amicous1676 lovable1691 clever1758 unchilled1794 tosh1821 mately1822 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [adjective] > gracious holdc893 winsomec900 goodlyOE esteOE menskful?c1225 courteousc1290 besekandlika1300 buxom1362 graciousa1375 queemfulc1390 nighsomea1400 gainlyc1400 favourablec1503 handsome1528 suave?1553 boona1612 benedictive1660 sneerless1884 society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [adjective] holdc893 trueOE leala1300 truefula1350 faithfula1375 true-hearted1465 liege1478 well-wishing1548 allegiant1556 vowed1560 lewtifull1563 whole-chested1576 devotious1583 devote1597 loyal-hearted1599 devoted1600 resolved1600 real1639 fidelious1650 liegeful1872 c893 tr. Orosius Hist.* vi. xii He wearð cristnum monnum..swiþe hold. OE Beowulf 267 Þurh holdne hige. a1175 Cott. Hom. 231 To underȝeite wa an alle his cyne rice him were frend oðer fend, hold oðer fa. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1389 For kindes luue he was hire hold. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13264 Leche to þam was he ful hold [Gött. hoild], He asked noþer siluer ne gold. c1475 Partenay 2146 And of Ausoys the noble kyng hold. 2. Loyal, faithful, true. a. Of persons. ΚΠ a1000 Oaths c. 1 in Schmid Gesetze 404 Ic wille beon N. hold and getriwe. c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 552 Ðonne bið se holda ðeowa geset ofer manegum godum. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10174 To winnenn ahhte to þe king To beon himm holde. & trowwe. c1275 Duty Christ 20 in Old Eng. Misc. 141 He is vre beste king, we ouhte beon hym holde. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2592 For heo is trewe & holde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 20843 Þat lijf, ne ded, ne wil, ne wa, Mai neuer turn mi hert þe fra, Bot hald it hold in þi seruis. b. Of things; esp. in hold(e oþes, oþes holde, late Old English hold-áðas, for earlier hyld-áðas, oaths of fealty.In Old English hyld-, hold-, are in combination, but in later use hold is treated as an adjective. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [adjective] > of oaths, qualities, etc. holda1100 lealc1350 faithful1638 devotional1677 a1000 Oaths c. 1 in Schmid Gesetze 404 Þus man sceal swerigean hyldaðas.] a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1085 ² Ealle hi..him hold aðas sworon. a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1115 Ealle þa heafod men..dydon man-ræden and hold-aðas his sunu Willelme. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 163 On redinges and lorspelles, and on holde bedes. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 383 Me suor hym holde oþes. a1300 K. Horn 1249 Hi sworen oþes holde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21318 All war þair warkes old [Gött. hold]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online December 2021). holdv. Brit. /həʊld/, U.S. /hoʊld/ Inflections: Past tense held; past participle held, (archaic) holden /ˈhəʊld(ə)n/; Forms: 1. Present stem. a. α. Old English–1600s hald (Anglian and northern), Middle English ald, 1500s hawd, 1500s–1800s hauld (Scottish), 1500s– had, 1500s– haud, 1500s– hod (English regional (northern)). a900 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 874 Miercna rice to haldanne.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark v. 4 Nænig monn mæhte hine halda.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 41 Haldeð broþerreddene eow bitwenen.a1225 Juliana 47 Hu derst tu halde me?a1300 Cursor Mundi 28353 I þat cuth na mesur hald.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4034 Aiþer might þam ald. ▸ c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 31 And ald houshold oponly.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 514 To hald þat þai forspokyn haid. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 112 Micht non him hawd. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 110 Quhy wald thow hald that will away?1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 15 Ane pennyworth to had.1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 29 Twa good pocks..The t'ane to had the grots The ither to had the meal.1787 R. Burns Poems (new ed.) 323 I'm as blythe that hauds his pleugh.1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun (new ed.) ii. 34 Nought cou'd hald them. β. Middle English hoold, Middle English old, Middle English–1600s hould, Middle English– hold. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 161 Hie sullen weie holden.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 460 Ych hym holde vaste.c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) v. 119 We most holde [MS. Digby 145 (1532) houlde] it for vndouted.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11648 Hold hit onone!1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vi. sig. I^v Who maie holde that will awaie. γ. Old English–Middle English heald- (West Saxon and southern), Middle English hæld-, Middle English held-, Middle English hyald- (Kent), Middle English hyeald- (Kent), Middle English hyeld- (Kent). 971 Blickl. Hom. 13 We..his bebodu healdan.c1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 224 Heald hy mid þe.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 31 Heald þin cunde.a1275 Prov. Ælfred 620 in Old Eng. Misc. 136 Þenne miȝt þu þi lond mit frendchipe helden.13.. Coer de L. 2340 Al my lond I will of him held. c1315Healde [see sense 23c]. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 27 Zome þet me hyelde guode men.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 145 God of huam we hyealdeþ alle.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 220 [He] hyalde hit wyle þerhuyle hit ilest. b. 2nd singular Old English hieltst, Old English hyltst, Middle English alst, Middle English haldes (northern), Middle English halds (northern), Middle English halst, Middle English– holdest. a1175 Cott. Hom. 233 Hlaford..þe alste [= halst þe] hefenen þrimsettles.a1300 Cursor Mundi 2655 If þou halds mi techeyng.c1315 Shoreham 90 Ȝef thou hys [hestes] halst man. c. 3rd singular Old English hęlt, Old English hielt, Old English hilt, Old English hylt, Middle English alt, Middle English haldes (northern), Middle English halds (northern), Middle English halt, Middle English halth, Middle English holt, Middle English– holdeth, 1500s– holds. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 220 Se wisa hilt his spræce.970 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. III. 466 Afene stream healt ðone norþ ende.c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 198 Sio..helt þa lendenbrædan.c1300 Beket 1614 He halth me the meste wrecche.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 924 Quo-so his alt him bi agt.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 259 Vor huo þet halt ald man uor child: he hine halt uor fol.c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 53 And halt [v.r. holte] his feeste so solempne.c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxvii. 270 Prestre Iohn holt fulle gret Lond. 2. Past tense. α. Old English hiold, Old English–Middle English heold, Old English– held, Middle English heeld, Middle English heild, Middle English hel, Middle English helt, Middle English hield, Middle English hold, Middle English hueld, Middle English huld, Middle English hyllde, Middle English–1500s hild, Middle English–1500s hyld. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care Pref. 4 Ure ieldran ða þe ðas stowa ær hioldon.c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 46 Judei..heoldon heora earan.a1132 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1123 Fela oðre..helden here castles him to geanes.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 165 Ðu helde mi riht hond.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Eue heold..long tale wið þe neddre.c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 19/13 [The] taper..þat heo huld in hire hond. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. ii. 2 Laȝhing I heeld errour.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 408 Þe seuend o werk he hild [Fairf. 14 held, Trin. Cambr. helde] him still.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6038 Langer his forward heild he noght.c1400 St. Alexius (Cott.) 315 He hyllde his hand so faste.c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 724 Seynt Wultrud hold hurr' ryȝt wel afrayde.c1480 (a1400) St. Lawrence 724 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 423 Mony feyndis hyld þare vay.1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. kvij/1 Thydolle..helde in his ryght honde a grete keye.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iv. 64 Thus hilde the kynge that feeste.1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 40 He hilde himselfe still vnder his fathers obedience.a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) v. v. 64 I held the Sword.1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 93 A thing that thou heldest in thy hand. β. Middle English hulte. γ. Middle English holdede. c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 602 [He] hulte hym styll as he nouȝt rouȝt.c1420 Chron. Vilod. st. 937 His hond..so hulte he.?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 89 The sonne of Mithridatis holdede that realme by xliij. yere. 3. Past participle. α. Old English–Middle English gehalden, Old English–Middle English halden, Middle English alden, Middle English halden, Middle English haldyn, Middle English ihalden, Middle English–1500s haldin, 1500s haldine (Scottish), 1500s haulden, 1800s hadden (Scottish), 1800s hodden (northern). c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. ix. 17 Æd-gædre biðon gehalden.a1175 Cott. Hom. 229 Þat naman ne mai bien ȝehalden.a1300 Cursor Mundi 28470 I haue halden.1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) v. xiv. 80 The feste..is halden in this wyse.1558 Maitland Wynning of Calice viii, in Sibbald Chron. Scot. Poetry (1802) III. 94 Be ilk man haulden in reverence.c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 11 The Parliament to be haldin in Edinburgh.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 37 Lands haldin be the heire.1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. Sc. He's ower fou hadden. β. Middle English holdin, Middle English holdun, Middle English -holdyn, Middle English i-holden, Middle English i-holdyn, Middle English olden, Middle English y-holden, Middle English– holden. a1240 Lofsong in Cott. Hom. 205 Vuele i-holden treouðe.c1320 Cast. Love 266 That never ȝet i-holdyn nes.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2040 Holden harde in prisun.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 281 Alle..Ben holden..to helpe þe to restitue.1411 Rolls Parl. III. 650/1 At the last Parlement..holden at Westm[inster].?1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. E4 Ych am yholden by charite to parte with hym of these goodes.1868 J. R. Lowell Wind-harp in Under Willows 5 Only caught for the moment and holden. γ. Old English gehealden, Old English healden, Middle English ihealden, Middle English–1500s helden. c1000 [see sense 6a]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9504 He..helden had þir laghes tuin. δ. Middle English halde, Middle English halt, Middle English hold, Middle English holde, Middle English ihalde, Middle English yhealde, Middle English yholde, 1500s hald (Scottish). c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8242 Þou hast halde þer lond wyþ wrong.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 165 Þe hestes..huerto hi byeþ y-hyealde.c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale 168 Seyde he had holde his day.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. iv. 269 For a man yholde.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10493 I out of chirche..am don & for cursed holde.a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 32 Ye are moche holde to youre God.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xii. iv. 9 Ane rych enornament Of cleyr Phebus, that was his grandschir hald. ε. 1500s helde, 1500s hild, 1500s– held. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 24 The Shire-Court..is held and kept in the City of Chichester.1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. ix. 142 If he had hild himselfe to that which he sayth.1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. I3 Ô let it not be hild [rhymes kill'd, fulfill'd] Poore womens faults.a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 44 How long hath this possession held the man.1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iv. ii. iii. 459 To be held and chewed in the mouth.1893 Field 11 Feb. 190/3 Their quarry got ‘held’ in a bit of bog. ζ. 1500s–1600s holded, 1800s hoddit (dialect). 1590 L. Lloyd First Pt. Diall of Daies 31 Which day amongst the antient Romans was holded a fortunate day for marriage.1690 B. Church Let. 27 Nov. in Entertaining Passages Philip's War (1716) ii. 78 A Court..which was holded before I came home. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: A Common Germanic reduplicated strong verb Old English haldan, healdan, past tense heold, participle halden, healden, corresponding to Old Frisian halda, helt, halden, Old Saxon haldan, held, gihaldan (Middle Low German holden, Middle Dutch houden), Old High German halten, hialt, gehaltan (German halten, hielt, gehalten), Old Norse halda, helt, held-, haldenn, Gothic haldan, haihald, haldans. The Anglian form haldan remained in the north as hald, hauld, haud, but regularly gave in midland and general English hold; the West Saxon healdan gave in the south a present stem heald, hæld, hyald, held in Middle English The 2nd and 3rd person singular had often umlaut and contraction in Old English and early Middle English The past tense Old English heold ( < reduplicated hehold) became heeld, held, dialect hield, hyld, huld/-y-/; rarely, with weak ending, hulte, holdede, in Middle English The past participle became holden, northern halden* (hauden, hadden), southern healden, helden; also, with loss of suffix, yhalde, yholde, holde, etc.; in 16th cent. holden began to be displaced by held from the past tense, and is now archaic, but preserved by its use in legal and formal language; weak forms holded, hoddit, are frequent from 16th cent. in dialect or individual use. Signification.In Gothic, haldan is recorded only in the sense ‘to watch over, keep charge of, keep, herd, pasture (cattle)’. (Cf. the derivative behold v. = hold in observation.) This is generally accepted as the original sense in the Teutonic languages (cf. Grimm, s.v. Halten, Verwijs & Verdam Middelndl. Wbk. s.v. Houden), whence have arisen the senses, ‘to rule (people), guard, defend, keep from getting away or falling, preserve, reserve, keep possession of, possess, occupy, contain, detain, entertain, retain, maintain, sustain’, in which it is now used. In some of these hold covers the same conceptual grounds as keep (which has superseded it in reference to cattle), in others it is a stronger synonym of have. But its typical current sense is ‘to have or keep in one's grasp’; uses into which this notion does not enter, literally or figuratively, having mostly become obsolete. Hence it is the English equivalent of Latin tenēre, French tenir, and so of contain, retain, etc., as above. The verb had already a wide development of sense in Old English, as far as we can go back; uses akin to the Gothic are here placed as sense 1. I. Transitive senses. †1. a. To keep watch over, keep in charge, herd, ‘keep’ (sheep, etc.); to rule (men). Only in Old English and early Middle English Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > rule or govern [verb (transitive)] steera900 hold971 wieldOE warda1000 redeOE wisc1000 i-weldeOE rightlecheOE rightOE raima1325 governc1325 guyc1330 rulea1387 justicec1390 rekea1400 reigna1413 lorda1450 earlc1450 seignoryc1475 over-govern1485 overrulec1488 emperyc1503 gubern?a1505 signorize1594 sway1613 gubernate1623 overlead1720 belord1858 prime minister1906 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] pindeOE steerc950 hold971 forbidc1000 withstewc1175 withholdc1200 stewa1225 crempa1250 bistintc1300 i-stillc1315 withdraw1340 entemperc1380 rebukec1380 forfenda1382 refraina1382 refrainc1390 restraina1393 restayc1400 retainc1415 to hold abackc1440 overholda1450 reclaim?c1450 revokec1450 bedwynge1480 sniba1500 repressa1525 rein1531 inhibit1535 to keep back1535 cohibit1544 reprimec1550 lithe1552 to rein up1574 check1581 embridle1583 to rein in1593 retrench1594 refrenate1599 to hold back1600 snip1601 becheck1605 sneap1611 trasha1616 supersede1645 reprimand1689 snape1691 to clap a guy on1814 to pull up1861 to pull in1893 withstrain1904 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] hold971 witec1000 ward?a1035 looklOE bewakec1175 getec1175 wakec1175 i-witea1240 forelook1340 watch?a1400 to watch over——1526 award?c1550 guard1582 to wait over ——1659 shepherd1885 watchdog1902 warden1910 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] hold971 yemeOE biwitc1000 keepa1325 wait1362 tentc1400 attendc1420 to take guard1426 tend?1521 to have the care of1579 to have, take, give (the) charge of1611 mind1640 to have, take in charge1665 tutor1682 attend1796 shepherda1822 mother1851 971 Blickl. Hom. 45 Þære heorde þe hi ær Gode healdan sceoldan. c1000 Ælfric Genesis iv. 9 Sceolde ic minne broþor healdon? c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxvii. 13 Þine gebroþru healdaþ scep on Sichima. c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 230 Se ðe hylt Israhel. c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 382 Ða weardas heoldon þæs cwearternes duru. c1050 Laws of Cnut (Schmid) i. c. 20 Þe he his men rihtlice healde. a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1014 Gif he hi rihtlicor healdan wolde. a1175 Cott. Hom. 219 He halt mid his mihte hefene and eorðe. †b. To guard, defend, preserve (from hurt). ΚΠ c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) cxx. 4 Se þe sceal healdan nu Israela folc utan wið feondum [L. qui custodit Israel]. c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 7225 ‘God’, he seyd, ‘fader almiȝt, Þat..heldest Daniel fram þe lyoun, Saue me fram þis foule dragoun’. 2. a. To keep from getting away; to keep fast, grasp.Often with adverb complement, as hold fast; see also Phrasal verbs to hold one's sides: to press the hands against the sides, as in excessive laughter. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] holdc1000 takec1225 withhold1513 the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > laugh convulsively or immoderately chuckle1598 to split (also break, burst, etc.) one's sides1598 to die with, or of laughing1609 to hold one's sides1609 to laugh till (also until) one cries1611 split1688 to burst one's sides1712 shake1729 to shake one's sides1736 to laugh oneself sick (also silly)1773 roll1819 to laugh one's head off1871 to break up1895 to fall about1918 pee1946 c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 110 Iacob heold þone yldran broðer Esau be ðam fet. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12352 Ælc mid his honde heold his iuere. 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xviii. 123 Joab helde the chynne of Amasa as though he wold kysse hym. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lviii. 85 The same decoction, holden and kept in the mouth. 1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 378, in Wks. (1931) I. 156 Ane quoif of gold, to heild his hair. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. iii. 62 Lay hold vpon him, Priam hold him fast. View more context for this quotation 1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 Laughter holding both his sides. 1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 43 I continued holding her hand. 1892 Chambers's Jrnl. 3 Sept. 561/2 A..boy rushed up..to hold the rector's horse. b. Cricket. To catch (a ball): implying a difficult or skilful catch. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > field [verb (transitive)] > catch to catch out1712 hold1752 catch1789 take1836 pouch1910 1752 Game at Cricket in New Universal Mag. Nov. 581/2 If the ball be held before she touches ground, though she be hugg’d to the body, it’s out. 1868 Baily's Monthly Mag. July 127 Mr. Miles would have got ten wickets had there been any man in the field capable of holding a catch. 1882 Daily Tel. 24 June Hornby drove Giffen hard to mid-on, where Bannerman held the ball cleverly. 1903 G. L. Jessop in H. G. Hutchinson Cricket v. 130 ‘Dolly’ catches are much more difficult to hold than those from hard drives. c. Sport colloquial. To prove a match for, hold one's own against. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > be equal with hold1883 tie1888 1883 Times 22 Oct. 10/2 It seems likely that she holds all the horses that ran in the Cesarewitch safe enough. 1891 Sat. Rev. 10 Oct. 412/1 On the more level slope he begins to hold his pursuer. 1893 Sat. Rev. 25 Mar. 323/1 Oxford rowed a slower stroke..than their opponents, and yet appeared to hold them fairly easily from post to finish. d. To keep back, detain, delay. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] forslowc888 eldc897 forsita940 gele971 lengOE drilla1300 delayc1300 onfrestc1300 tarryc1320 jornc1330 dretchc1380 defer1382 forbida1387 to put offa1387 to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393 dilate1399 fordrawa1400 to put overc1410 latch?c1422 adjournc1425 prolongc1425 proloynec1425 rejournc1425 to put in respite1428 sleuthc1430 respitea1450 prorogue1453 refer1466 sleep1470 supersede1482 respectc1487 postpone1496 overseta1500 respett1500 enjourna1513 relong1523 retract1524 tarde1524 track1524 to fode forth1525 tract1527 protract1528 further1529 to make stay of1530 surcease1530 prorogate1534 to fay upon longc1540 linger1543 retard?1543 slake1544 procrastine1548 reprieve1548 remit1550 suspense1556 leave1559 shiftc1562 suspend1566 procrastinate1569 dally1574 post1577 to hold off1580 drift1584 loiter1589 postpose1598 to take one's (own) timea1602 flag1602 slug1605 elong1610 belay1613 demur1613 tardya1616 to hang up1623 frist1637 disjourn1642 future1642 off1642 waive1653 superannuate1655 perendinate1656 stave1664 detard1675 remora1686 to put back1718 withhold1726 protract1737 to keep over1847 to hold over1853 laten1860 to lay over1885 hold1891 back-burner1975 1891 F. H. Smith Col. Carter 135 ‘Where did you get this?’ he asked, aghast. ‘From the carrier. It [sc. a letter] was held for postage.’ 1904 N.Y. Times 20 Aug. 1 The railroad has issued an order..that trains shall not be held for the..taking of baggage after the regular time scheduled for stops has expired. 1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard viii. 203 Sneed was greeted by Sergeant Waugh, who jumped back to try and hold the lift for him. e. To detain in custody, keep under arrest. Originally U.S. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > detain in custody detain1485 restrain1491 hold1903 deport1909 1903 N.Y. Evening Post 19 Aug. The men were held for felonious assault, and the woman as a witness. 1906 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 14 June 1 If the New York insurance officials cannot be held for larceny, they might evidently be held for forgery or perjury. 1922 H. Titus Timber iii. 32 ‘Why did he arrest you?’ ‘Oh, I dropped a cigarette out here in summer an' started a fire,..an' he held me under the fire law.’ 1966 J. Bingham Double Agent xii. 183 He spoke to the Maltese police inspector. ‘You would do me a personal favour if you would hold him for twenty-four hours.’ 1972 J. Rathbone Trip Trap viii. 89 There were no convictions, but she had been held for questioning on three occasions. f. Boxing. (See quot. 1954.) ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > box [verb (transitive)] > hold in grasp weave1818 hold1922 1922 N. Clark How to Box xii. 191 It must be understood that it takes two to make a clinch, and unless both men are holding, the referee has not the power to call ‘break-away’. 1923 T. C. Wignall Story of Boxing 318 The referee shall have power to disqualify for..holding, butting, shouldering, [etc.]. 1954 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. 53 Hold, to grasp an opponent with the hands—not permitted. 1960 Times 28 Sept. 16/7 The referee had to speak to both men for holding. 1961 Times 8 Mar. 17/3 Spinks appeared to be palming and holding so flagrantly. 3. a. To keep from falling, to sustain or support in or with the hand, arms, etc.: applicable to any degree of exertion, from that involved in holding up (see sense to hold up at Phrasal verbs) a heavy object, to that which does not differ from having in the hand, except by the mere implication of muscular action. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] to bear upeOE underbearc950 bearOE holdc1000 weighc1200 to hold up1297 upholda1300 sustainc1330 undersetc1330 comforta1382 underbear1382 upbear1390 sustaina1398 upkeepc1412 carrya1425 supporta1425 chargea1500 convey1514 avoke1529 confirm1542 stay1548 to carry up1570 bolster1581 lift1590 upstay1590 atlas1593 sustent1605 statuminatea1628 firm1646 appui1656 establish1664 shoulder1674 to keep up1681 upheave1729 withhold1769 c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 538 Ealle..healdende palm-twigu on heora handum. [Cf. I. 90 Hæbbende heora palm-twigu on handa.] c1290 St. Dunstan 13 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 19 Seint Dunstones moder taper..þat heo hald on hire hond. a1300 Floriz & Bl. 746 His swerd fel of his hond..Ne miȝte he it holde. c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2009 Another ymage That held a mirour in his hond. ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 939 Ten brode arowis hilde he there. 1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 25 Hold the basin high as you give water to ones handes. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. vi. 4 b Holding in hys hande a long staffe of silver. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 371 Muttering their prayers, holding a bundle of small Tameriske-twigs. 1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 191 My partner held good trumps. 1887 Times (Weekly ed.) 2 Sept. 14/3 Holding a brief for the National League. 1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid ii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 140 My wife..Holds our little Iulus before his father to see. 1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. Hold my book while I run back. The girl was holding the baby for her mother. †b. figurative. To uphold, support, maintain. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > position or job > [verb (transitive)] holdc1000 occupyc1375 fillc1475 the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (intransitive)] holdc1000 accede?a1475 to watch a person's back1974 c1000 Laws Æthelred v. c. 35 Utan ænne cyne-hlaford holdlice healdan. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 35 Þe heȝe men..þet hyealdeþ and sosteneþ iewes and þe caorsins. c. In pregnant sense: To hold so as to keep in position, guide, control, or manage, as to hold the sceptre, the reins, the plough. ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > have control over aweldc1175 hold1577 countermand1590 society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > direct rakeeOE rule1340 demean?a1400 direct?1510 hold1577 mastermind1927 quarterback1943 the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > so as to keep in position or control hold1577 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 6 He customably vsed himselfe to hold the Plow. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iv. sig. D5^v Enraged wight, Whome great griefe made forgett the raines to hold Of reasons rule. 1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 49 Even as wee see Pilots..holding the Rudder. 1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes v. xi. 421 More fit..to handle a mattocke then to hold a musket. †d. To sustain, bear, endure, ‘stand’ (some treatment). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > be subjected to or undergo an action > specifically of a person havea1225 to go under ——a1400 lie1546 hold1592 undergo1600 stand1607 the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > adhere constantly or steadfastly to [verb (transitive)] > endure without giving way tholec1175 suffera1387 outbear1530 to fight out1548 sustain1573 stand1575 hold1592 to stand out1600 to bide out1637 to stand for ——1896 tough1974 the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] > resist > maintain resistance against to stand before ——OE bearOE tholec1175 sustainc1330 last1340 suffera1387 support1483 outstand1571 hold1592 to hold outa1616 ridea1649 brunt1800 to stand up to1921 1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. C4^v The shoomaker cares not if his shooes hold the drawing on. 1606 W. Crashaw Falsificationum Romanarum A ij a If the matter will not hold plea, and if my proofe be not substantiall. a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 80 Now humble as the ripest Mulberry, That will not hold the handling. View more context for this quotation 1664 E. Waller To Sir T. Higgins in Poems Their small gallies may not hold compare With our tall ships. 4. To keep (the body, or a member) in a particular position or attitude; to ‘carry’, sustain, bear. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > remain in (a place) holda1387 keep1413 to stick to ——1539 the world > space > relative position > posture > place into or assume a posture [verb (transitive)] > hold a posture holda1387 carry?1561 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 229 A man sittynge þeron..halt his riȝt hond as þouȝ he spake to þe peple. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4196 Godd hald ouer him his holi hand! 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 29^v An other holdeth his necke a wrye. 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 4 Holding thy eare close to the hollow ground. View more context for this quotation a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe v. ii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Pp^v/1 Be not fearefull, for I hold my hands Before my mouth. 1885 D. Russell On Golden Hinges II. xi. 165 She held herself like a queen. 1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. I. iii. 52 She held her face averted. 1892 Longman's Mag. Jan. 230 She held her head as proudly as ever. 5. a. To have or keep within it; to retain (fluid, or the like), so that it does not run out; esp. to contain (with reference to amount or quantity); to be capable of containing, have capacity for. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > contain or have within [verb (transitive)] holdc1000 takec1175 keep1340 harbour1362 containa1382 comprehend1393 comprise1483 carry1517 house1542 refrain1542 to fetch in1565 enharbour1596 inhold1614 reserve1614 the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > contain or have within [verb (transitive)] > be able to contain holdc1000 receivec1425 contain1526 takea1637 c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 56 Ða wæter-fatu, sume heoldon twyfealde gemetu, sume þryfealde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5924 Ne was in hus na vessel fre þat watur hild, o stan ne tre. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 54 That yle [Cycile] holt in compas about cccl frensche myles. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. ii. 13 Cisternes distried, that moun not holde watris. c1475 Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Bk. (Egerton 1995) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 18 Put not thy mete..In-to thy Seler that thy salte halte. 1531–2 Act 23 Hen. VIII c. 4 §4 Euery barrell for bere shall conteine and holde .xxxvi. gallons. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 9 More diuels, then vast hell can holde . View more context for this quotation 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 217 He stored the Sloop as full as she could hold. 1736 H. Fielding Pasquin ii. 24 I'll make the House too hot to hold you. 1805 W. Saunders Treat. Mineral Waters (ed. 2) 225 The animal and vegetable matters which it holds in solution. 1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 i. 66 Peat holds water like a sponge. 1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xii Cannot the phaeton hold five? 1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. This jug holds two pints. b. spec. Of a theatre: to have capacity for (frequently with reference to the size of a theatre's seating capacity expressed in terms of the takings). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > auditorium > [verb (transitive)] > have capacity for hold1740 1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber xii. 240 Spectators, who may remember what Form the Drury-Lane Theatre stood in, about forty Years ago, before the old Patentee, to make it hold more Mony, took it in his Head to alter it. 1812 Dramatic Censor 1811 Apr. 218 Which..will, at the old prices, hold as much money as the modern excessively large Theatres. 1894 G. B. Shaw Let. 20 Mar. (1965) I. 421 The Avenue [theatre] holds, when full, £200. 1946 G. B. Shaw Matter with Ireland (1962) 13 It [sc. the theatre] held more money per square foot of ground than the classical Royal. 6. a. To have or keep as one's own absolutely or temporarily; to own, have as property; to be the owner, possessor, or tenant of; to be in possession or enjoyment of.to have and to hold: see have v. Phrases 3a. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] holda855 haveeOE feoffc1330 werec1330 possede1392 possess1394 to be seized (seised) of or with1477 get1611 rejoice1822 the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] holda855 haveeOE witec1000 at-holdc1175 withholdc1200 keepc1400 reserve?a1439 retain1449 detain1541 to stick to ——1560 contain1600 to make good1606 preserve1617 inhold1726 to hang on to1873 a855 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 611 Her Cynegils feng to rice..and heold xxxi wintra. c897 [see α. forms]. c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) cxxii[i]. 1 Þu þe heofon-hamas healdest and wealdest [L. habitas in cælo]. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2225 Þatt illke kinesæte. Þatt dauið king hiss faderr held. a1200 Moral Ode 55 in Trin. Coll. Hom. 221 Se þe aihte wile holde wel. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 14 If any Breton were fonden holdand lond. 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 38 Sir Simonye is of-sent to asseale þe Chartres, Þat Fals oþur Fauuel by eny [fyn] heolden. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) i. 4 Þe kyng..haldes grete and mykill land. For he haldes þe land of Hungary, Sauoy, Comany [etc.]. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. ii Syr Launcelot holdeth your quene and hath done longe. 1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. vi If an house be lette to a man to holde at wyll. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13697 Pirrus..Weddit þat worthi, & as wif held. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 148 By which he acquireth and holdeth a propriety in land, or goods. 1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 93 My Sovereign holds in ward my land. 1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 177 Farms are held on a variety of tenure. 1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. vii. 135 No man who taught the contrary was to be allowed to hold a benefice. b. To possess, have, occupy (a position, office, quality, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > possess a condition or position haveOE hold1340 rejoicec1390 beara1393 possess?a1425 acquire1474 pack1925 society > authority > office > [verb (transitive)] > hold an office occupyc1375 fillc1475 holdc1475 furnish1576 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 8129 If endlesnes any end moght hald, Þan war it endlesnes unproperly cald. c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 174 Wheresoevere thou hoold residence. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 5 In dede þei hald not, ne do his office. 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. O4^v They may also lawfully hold superioritie ouer their brethren. 1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 242 He might well haue holden place with the worthiest. 1762 J. Beattie Wolf & Shepherds in T. Blacklock Coll. Orig. Poems Scotch Gentlemen 8 One, With whom wit holds the place of reason. 1809 E. A. Kendall Trav. Northern Parts U.S. I. v. 40 Their places, therefore, are practically holden during good behaviour. 1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. ii. 34 Doctor Grey, (he might hold the title by diploma for what I know..). 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 137 Catholics could hold rank up to that of colonel. c. Const. of or from (the superior from whom the title to an estate or office is derived). Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > occupy or have a position from a superior holdc1275 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14661 And aȝef heom sone al þis ærd. of him to heoldenne. c1290 Beket 2000 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 163 Þe baronie al-so, Þat þou halst of him in chef. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 48 §1 The same Castelles..be holden of your Highnes in Chief as of youre Crowne. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) i. iii. 118 The Trust, the Office, I do hold of you. a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover iv. iii. 137 in 3 New Playes (1655) I hold my Dukedom from you as your vassal. 1703 N. Rowe Ulysses iv. i I have learnt to hold My Life from none, but from the Gods who gave it. 1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) I. 68 It has been contended that the word feodum signifies land holden of a superior lord, by military or other services. d. Military. To keep forcibly against an adversary, defend; to keep possession of, occupy. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold out or make stand [verb (intransitive)] standOE hold1154 to maintain one's owna1375 to hold or keep (one's) stalec1450 subsist1588 to hold out1769 society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold [verb (transitive)] > hold (a position, etc.) hold1154 werec1330 maintaina1375 1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1135 And [he] held Execestre agenes him. 1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. (1576) 173 They tooke and held the Citie with force. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. iii. 163 To Bristow castle, which they say is held By Bushie, Bagot, and their complices. View more context for this quotation 1649 J. Taylor Wandering 13 The mayne Island is held for the Prince, by one Captaine..called Sir Iohn Greenvill. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 723 With what Arms We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of Deitie or Empire. View more context for this quotation 1867 J. B. Rose tr. Virgil Æneis 40 The foeman holds the wall. 1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xvii. 319 The bridge was held for some time..at last the French fled. e. To occupy, be in (a place); also, in stronger sense, To remain in, retain possession or occupation of. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up (space or a place) [verb (transitive)] hold1297 occupyc1384 purprise1481 furnishc1500 people1597 possess1604 enharbour1613 tenant1670 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7166 He ber þe croune & huld þe deis mid oþer atil also. 13.. K. Alis. 1154 Alisaundre heold the deys. a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F As if science held her seate Betweene the circled arches of thy browes. 1637 J. Milton Comus 4 The starre that bids the Shepheard fold, Now the top of heav'n doth hold. 1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule ii. i. 456 One who holds the very next Apartment. 1885 C. L. Pirkis Lady Lovelace II. xxix. 123 For the nonce lighter questions held his brain. 1892 Illustr. London News 7 May 559/3 His first piece..long held the boards. f. figurative. Of disease, error, etc.: To have in its power, possess, affect, occupy. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11829 Ydropsi held him sua in threst. 1420 Proclam. Hen. V in Rymer Fœdera (1710) 917 Our sayd Father is holden wyth divers Sekeness. 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus i. xviii, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 243 The detestable heresie of Arius, which helde their mindes of a longe time. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 118 Th' affliction of my minde amends, with which I feare a madnesse held me. View more context for this quotation 1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 122 A Feaver that held him for about a Fortnight. 1886 J. R. Seeley Short Hist. Napoleon I iv. § i. 118 The intoxication of the Marengo campaign still held him. g. to hold the stage (or house): to command the attention of a theatre audience. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [verb (intransitive)] > command attention to hold the stage (or house)1889 1889 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang Hold the stage, to (theatrical), is said of an experienced actor who is fully at home on the stage, and always commands the attention of the audience. 1893 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang III. 331/2 To hold the stage, to have the chief place on the boards and the eye of an audience. 1916 To-day 22 July 368/1 You do not need to be a very experienced playgoer to know when an actress is holding a house. 1967 ‘La Meri’ Spanish Dancing (ed. 2) viii. 98 Many dancers assisted by only a pianist held the stage alone for the two hours of a complete evening's performance. h. to hold the line: to maintain telephonic connection during a break in conversation. (Cf. to hold on 7 at Phrasal verbs.) Also figurative. ΘΚΠ society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate by telephone [verb (intransitive)] > keep connection to hold on1892 to hold the line1912 to hang on1936 1912 M. Beerbohm Christmas Garland 6 It was with a certain sense of his rashness in the matter, therefore, that he now, with an air of feverishly ‘holding the line’, said ‘Oh, as to that.’ 1915 Punch 10 Nov. 390/1 Such are some of the miseries of holding the line. 1931 P. G. Wodehouse Big Money i. 24 ‘Hold the line,’ he said in a low, strained voice. 7. a. To keep, preserve, retain; not to lose, let go, part with, or emit; to detain; to arrest, rivet the attention of. Also hold it!: stay as you are; do not go on!; steady on! ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep, maintain, or preserve holdc1000 i-haldOE keepc1175 withholdc1200 keepa1325 maintaina1375 preservea1393 the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > hold the attention of hold1577 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action! stop1570 not so fasta1593 hold your horses!1843 to hold on1846 hold it!1926 hold everything!1930 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 17 Hig doð niwe win on niwe bytta, and ægðer byþ ge-healden [Lindisf. gehalden]. c1020 Rule St. Benet (Logeman) 98 Him sylfum na healdende of eallum. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 41 Þe blake clað..hald his heou betere. 1258 Proclam. Hen. III We senden ȝew þis writ..to halden a manges ȝew inehord. 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) x. vii. 378 Cole rake in asshes holdeth and kepyth fyre. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13409 ‘Quarfor’, said he, ‘þus has þou Halden þe god wine to now?’ 1486 Bk. St. Albans C vij b If she holde it past the secunde day after, she shall be hoole. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 7^v But I holde you to long with commendation of that... I pray you let vs goe to dinner. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 333 Might..dive in as long as they could hold their breath. 1861 Temple Bar 3 335 Constant changes of scene and method hold the attention. 1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled II. i. xxiv. 130 She..found herself held by his eyes. 1926 A. Huxley Jesting Pilate iv. 262 That's good. Hold it. 1930 W. H. Auden Poems 23 Moisten the lips and start afresh. Hold it. 1948 M. Allingham More Work for Undertaker xiii. 160 Oh, I say, hold it... I don't think you ought to go as far as that. 1962 A. Christie Mirror Crack'd xv. 167 ‘That'll do. Hold it. We'll have one more... It looks smashing,’ said the photographer. 1973 E. Berckman Victorian Album 20 ‘Let's go and talk to her quickly, quickly—.’ ‘Hold it, darling,’ she interrupted. b. With complement: To keep in a specified place, state, condition, or relation; to oblige to adhere to (a promise or the like: cf. 10). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep, maintain, or preserve > in a specified state, place, or relation hold971 keepc1340 society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to perform or adhere to hold971 tiec1200 exact1564 enforce1647 confine1651 straiten1652 to tie down1692 to nail down1859 971 Blickl. Hom. 189 Þa heht Petrus and Paulus on bendum healdon. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Heald me þe wrache. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 524 Ȝe..haldeð [c1300 Otho habbeþ] me inne bende. c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 339 Thus holdithe me my destenye a wrechche. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14405 Pharaon..þat þam in seruage held lang. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3183 Abraham..hald still þin arm And to þi sun do þou no harm. 1482 Monk of Evesham 26 Beyng holde in a certeyn stupour and wondyr of mynde. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8083 To hold hym in hope & hert hym the bettur. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 37^v Suche a rable of shoters..as wolde holde vs talkyng whyles tomorowe. a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. iii. 194 His gracious Promise, which you might..haue held him to. View more context for this quotation 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xxix. 271 The Captain is desirous to hold you to it. 1872 C. E. Maurice Life S. Langton iii. 213 John's army was held in check. 1892 Temple Bar Nov. 360 He was held at bay. c. reflexive. To keep oneself; to adhere, remain, keep. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > keep oneself [verb (reflexive)] holdc1230 containc1565 c1230 Hali Meid. 25 Moni halt him til an make. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 379 ‘Þe kyng’, he seyde, ‘of Engelond halt hym to hys bedde’. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 245 Holdeþ ȝow in vnyte. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10413 Quen þat he heild him fra hame. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6521 Moyses him hild awai. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lv. 187 Euery man praysed gretely Huon that he helde hym selfe so fermely. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxvi. 2 Holde the still a litle. c1571 E. Campion Two Bks. Hist. Ireland (1963) ii. vii. 108 Richarde helde himselfe in Irelande. 1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 373 For thy, hald ȝow fra the Court. 1861 Temple Bar 1 340 They held themselves aloof from the popular current. †d. To continue to occupy; to remain in (a place); not to move from or leave; to ‘keep’. Obsolete. ΚΠ c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 623 She halt hire chambre. a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 64 Had they holde the highe waye. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. iii. 84 The schippis haldand the deip see. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Biii^v Holding alway the chiefe strete of the town. 1795 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 477 If it be rainy, then the hare will hold the highways more than at any other time. e. Hunting. To keep going; to lead or drive (hounds). Cf. 24. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > lead or drive hounds run1883 hold1891 1891 Field 21 Nov. 792/2 We found Mark..holding the hounds up the common again. 1891 Field 19 Dec. 954/2 Laurance..held his hounds across the valley. f. to hold the road: to continue to occupy the road; to keep to the road without skidding, etc. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > movement of vehicles > move or go along [verb (intransitive)] > keep to road without skidding to hold the road1926 1926 T. E. Lawrence Let. 27 Sept. (1938) 500 The S.S. 100 holds the road extraordinarily. 1971 P. D. James Shroud for Nightingale ii. 43 [She] wondered whether her small car would hold the road. 8. a. To keep together, to keep in being, existence, or operation, to carry on; to convoke and preside over (a meeting, assembly, council, or the like); to go through formally, perform (any proceeding or function); to keep, observe, celebrate (a festival); to carry on, sustain, or have (communication, intelligence, conversation); to keep (company, silence, etc.); to use (language) habitually or constantly; = have v. VI. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > practise or carry on [verb (transitive)] doeOE followOE holda1100 found1340 exercec1374 enhaunta1382 usea1398 proceed1399 apply?c1400 practise?c1430 exercise1467 takea1500 plya1513 enure1549 prosecute1567 inurea1577 manage1579 to stand on ——1599 to carry on1638 cultivate1654 the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] > keep up (a proceeding or performance) haveOE holda1100 the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)] > a festival, etc. usea1250 holda1400 society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > meeting or assembling for common purpose > hold (a meeting) [verb (transitive)] sit1635 hold1840 a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1075 Hi ne dorstan nan gefeoht healdan wið Willelm cynge. a1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1085 Her se cyng bær his corona and heold his hired. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 85 Sein[t] nicholas..þat wune heold to his liues ende. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 20 From ouwer compelin oðet Preciosa beo iseid. haldeð silence. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2379 Belin in Euerewic huld [c1300 Otho heold] eorlene husting. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13363 A bridale was þere on I halde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10215 A mikel fest.. þat Iues held. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 6 I wyl holde you companye thyder. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 410 Ye king Eduuard..Come to Strevillyne with gret mengȝe For till hald yar ane assemble. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 2 The fendes helden a gret conseill. a1535 T. More Hist. Edward V (1641) 3 The Parliament holden the thirtieth yeere of King Henry the Sixth. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. July 29 To holden chat with seely shepherds swayne. 1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 41 Had he held intelligence with the King of Granada. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. v. 87 Seamen..can hold Conversation in both Tongues. 1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. xix. 267 Any county, wherein the assises are held. 1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xxvi. 93 I pray thee hold Converse with me. 1840 J. Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. I. 91 The first meeting of the Corporation..was holden on the 13th of the ensuing July. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. vi. 667 Several opulent gentlemen were accused of holding conventicles. b. Music. †(a) To perform (a particular part in concerted music); = bear v.¹ 17. Obsolete. (b) To sustain (a note, esp. in one part while the other parts move). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > harmonize [verb (transitive)] > sustain note hold1885 1885 ‘Rita’ Like Dian's Kiss xxiv. 180 The vocal thunder, having terminated in a prolonged holding of the low E, is followed by loud applause. 1889 E. Prout Harmony xix. §501 A suspension may be very simply defined as a note of one chord held over another of which it forms no part. 1934 C. Lambert Music Ho! iii. 205 When a guitar hung in every negro barber's shop, and a client who was waiting would vamp about on the instrument until at a lucky trouvaile everyone would shout ‘Hold that chord’. †9. To keep unbroken or inviolate; to observe, abide by (a command, vow, promise, faith, etc.); the opposite of to break or violate. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)] yieldc825 behold971 hold971 keepc1000 at-holdc1175 takec1300 spare1387 observec1391 to stand by ——c1405 to stick by ——a1530 to stand to ——1537 971 Blickl. Hom. 35 We sceolan þa ten bebodu healdan. 971 Blickl. Hom. 45 Gif hi nellaþ healdan Godes æwe. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 89 Ne we ne moten halden moyses e. 1258 Proclam. Hen. III Þæt heo stedefæstliche healden and swerien to healden..þo isetnesses þæt beon imakede. ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 266 Feith ne trouth holdith she To freend ne felawe, bad or good. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10698 Hu Sco moght hir mari and hald hir vou. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 610 I aske nowe of the To holde covenaunte in this cas. 1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 449 I sall hald that I haue hecht. a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) v. v. 236 To Master Broome, you yet shall hold your word. View more context for this quotation a1625 J. Fletcher Women Pleas'd v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ffffff2/2 'Tis fit ye hold your word, Sir. 10. †a. To oblige, bind, constrain; in later use, chiefly in past participle holden. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > to do something holdc1275 piltc1275 constraina1340 strength1340 distrainc1374 compelc1380 makec1395 distressa1400 stressa1400 art?1406 putc1450 coerce1475 cohert1475 enforce1509 perforce1509 forcec1540 violent?1551 press1600 necessitate1601 rack1602 restrain1621 reduce1622 oblige1632 necessiate1709 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4716 Þe to fehte heom scolde halden. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) (1850) 4 Kings iv. 8 Ther was there a grete womman, that heelde hym, that he ete brede. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1443 Thanne were I holde to quyte thy laboure. 14.. T. Hoccleve Compl. Virgin 138 Thou art as moche, or more, holde him to hyde, Than Sem, þat helid his Fadir Noe. ?1531 Praier of Ploweman sig. E4^v And thus ys my brother yholde to done to me. c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 44 His brother could not be haldin to ansuer any further in that mater. 1794 S. Williams Nat. & Civil Hist. Vermont 253 They could not view themselves as holden..to submit. †b. to be holden: to be obliged, under obligation to (any one), to be beholden adj. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > be bound by moral or legal tie [verb (intransitive)] shrive1338 to be boundc1360 to be holdena1375 to be obliged1398 oblige1548 obligate1955 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 317 To þis man & his meke wif most y am holde. c1450 (a1393) J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Harl. 3490) iii. 374 Whereof to him in speciall above all other I am most holde. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 28 We be moche holden to you. ?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Avij^v Greatly am I now holdyn vnto the. 1666 S. Pepys Diary 9 Apr. (1972) VII. 95 So we..turned back, being holden to the gentleman. c. to hold to bail: to bind or constrain by bail; see bail n.¹ 6. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > bailing or bail > bail or admit to bail [verb (transitive)] > bind by bail to hold to bail1837 1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxv. 259 Pickwick and Tupman he had already held to bail. 1890 Times (Weekly ed.) 28 Feb. 2/3 [He] was wrongfully held to bail to be of good behaviour. 11. Thesaurus » Categories » a. To keep back from action, hinder, prevent, restrain; reflexive to restrain oneself, refrain, forbear. Obsolete or archaic except in special phrases; spec. b. To keep in, refrain from (speech, noise, etc.): see also to hold one's tongue at tongue n. 4c. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] holdc897 forgoa1000 oversitOE forbearc1200 letc1330 to let bec1385 to lay apart1526 refrain1528 to let pass1530 retainc1540 abstain1578 restrain1594 stay1599 nurture1627 withhold1650 waive1653 inhold1655 withstand1852 skip1961 c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxiii. 220 Ac se wisa hilt his spræce and bitt timan. 971 Blickl. Hom. 37 Þæt we us healdan..wiþ þa heafodlican leahtras. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiv. 16 Sothli her yȝen weren holdun, lest thei knewen him. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13647 He allan þat dos his will, And halds him fra dedis ill. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii. iii Who holdeth now me that wyth my foote I breke not thyn hede? 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 288 To suche poynte that thou maiest not hold vomityng. 1573 G. Gascoigne tr. Ariosto Supposes i. i, in Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 3 Holde thy talking nourse, and harken to me. 1643 Earl of Newcastle Declar. in Answer of Six Groundlesse Aspersions by Ld. Fairefax 8 Let them call them what they will, so they would hold their fingers from them. 1774 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. App., in Wks. (1859) I. 131 The only restraining motive which may hold the hand of a tyrant. 1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xxv. 312 I wish you'd hold your noise! 1891 Graphic Christm. No. 20/3 He had reluctantly held his fire, determined to wait till he could ‘mak siccar’. c. to hold one's horses: used esp. in imperative ( hold your horses!) = be patient, hold on! originally U.S. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > be patient [phrase] hold your horses!1843 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action! stop1570 not so fasta1593 hold your horses!1843 to hold on1846 hold it!1926 hold everything!1930 1843 J. S. Robb Streaks Squatter Life 24 Jest hold your hosses, boys—he'll come out directly. 1844 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 16 Sept. 241/4 Oh, hold your hosses, Squire. There's no use gettin' riled, no how. 1917 Woman's Home Compan. Nov. 58 Now Phebe..you just hold your hosses and speak a little slower. 1939 Chatelaine Oct. 43/4 Hold your horses, dear. 1943 J. L. Hunt & A. G. Pringle Service Slang 39 Hold your horses, hold the job until further orders. (Comes from the Artillery.) 1945 S. Lewis Cass Timberlane (1947) xl. 272 Hey, hold your horses, Cass. Don't get sore. 1967 N. Fitzgerald Affairs of Death vii. 119 ‘I'm going in to the station now,’ he said. ‘Hold your horses,’ Marr said. ‘The night's young.’ d. To keep (a person) from speaking; to prevent (a person) from being troublesome. North American colloquial. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking to stop a person's mouthc1175 stilla1225 to keep ina1420 stifle1496 to knit up1530 to muzzle (up) the mouth1531 choke1533 muzzle?1542 to tie a person's tongue1544 tongue-tiea1555 silence1592 untongue1598 to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605 to bite in1608 gaga1616 to swear downa1616 to laugh down1616 stifle1621 to cry down1623 unworda1627 clamour1646 splint1648 to take down1656 snap1677 stick1708 shut1809 to shut up1814 to cough down1823 to scrape down1855 to howl down1872 extinguish1878 hold1901 shout1924 to pipe down1926 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > hold in check bridleOE tempera1050 chastec1230 to hold inc1300 straina1340 stintc1366 attemperc1380 restraina1387 rulea1391 ward1390 coarctc1400 obtemper?a1425 to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425 compesce1430 stent1488 coactc1520 repressa1525 compress1526 control1548 snaffle1555 temperatea1568 brank1574 halter1577 curb1588 shortena1599 to bear (a rein) upon1603 check1629 coerceate1657 bit1825 throttle1862 hold1901 1901 G. Ade 40 Mod. Fables 244 ‘And I guess that'll Hold you for a While,’ added the Biggest Boy in the Room. 1922 S. Lewis Babbitt v. 58 ‘I guess that'll hold you for a while, George!’ said Finkelstein. 1935 N. L. McClung Clearing in West xvii. 136 Maybe that would hold Miss Adams! 1965 ‘S. Woods’ Though I know she Lies xvi. 212 ‘That should hold him for a while,’ said Derek with satisfaction. e. hold everything!: wait! take no action! ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action! stop1570 not so fasta1593 hold your horses!1843 to hold on1846 hold it!1926 hold everything!1930 1930 in Amer. Speech 6 92. 1948 C. Day Lewis Otterbury Incident viii. 93 Hold everything now, this is the big bang coming. 1951 L. Z. Hobson Celebrity (1953) xi. 155 Hold everything; let's see. 12. To have or keep in the mind, entertain: a. (a feeling, etc.) Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > thought > think or have in mind [verb (transitive)] holdOE thinkOE makea1400 carry1583 entertain1583 lodge1583 conceit?1589 reflect1611 braina1616 OE Beowulf 1954 Hio..hiold heahlufan wið hæleþa brego. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15071 And for þere muchele luue þa heolde heore aldren. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Jan. 64 She..of my rurall musick holdeth scorne. a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. ii. 17 Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 90 You hold too heynous a respect of greefe. View more context for this quotation 1637 P. Heylyn Briefe Answer Burton Pref. sig. Civ If they hold a Reverend esteeme of those who [etc.]. 1802 J. Leyden Mermaid xlv That heart..Can hold no sympathy with mine. 1846 H. W. Torrens Remarks Uses Mil. Hist. 39 The first..who acknowledged the tactical theory and held great account of those who practised it. b. (a belief, opinion, doctrine, etc.): To accept and entertain as true; to believe. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > accept as true, believe [verb (transitive)] ylevec888 leve971 ween971 i-weneOE takec1175 trowc1175 truth?c1250 thinka1275 believec1300 trustc1325 hold1340 trist1340 to give (one's) faith to (also unto)c1405 accept?c1430 admitc1449 credencea1529 to take a person at his (also her) word1535 credit1547 faith1576 to take a person's word1576 receive1581 creed1596 understand1751 Adam and Eve1925 buy1926 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 134 We þet þe riȝte byleaue hyealdeþ. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. lv^v/1 I holde the cristen fayth. 1579 S. Gosson Apol. Schoole of Abuse in Ephemerides Phialo f. 82^v Let me holde the same proposition still. 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 134 All the Egyptians holde opinion, that the Crocodile is a Diuinatour. 1667 Earl of Cardigan in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 9 The Church of England holds the three creeds as well as we. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe Contents i. iii. 181 It appears, that Aristotle also held the worlds Animation. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 102 Those who held most strongly the divine right of the people to choose their own ministers. 1892 Monist 2 162 Justified in holding this view. c. With object clause: To be of opinion, think, consider, believe (that). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > hold an opinion [verb (transitive)] ween971 holda1300 believec1325 judgec1325 feelc1380 supposea1387 conceivea1425 take1429 opinea1475 thinkc1480 supponea1500 esteem1507 opinion1555 intend?1577 meditate1585 opinionate1599 opiniate1624 arbitrate1637 apprehend1639 state1671 calculate1805 consider1830 fink1888 a1300 Sarmun xiii, in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 2 Ihc hold a fole þat he be. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2507 Þei helde heres was þe lond. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) i. v. 5 I holde nought that al be trewe that he seyth. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. xxii. 23 The Saduces which holde that there is no resurreccion. a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. ii. 83 It is held, That Valour is the chiefest Vertue. View more context for this quotation 1771 S. Johnson Lett. to Mrs. Thrale 7 July She holds that both Frank and his master are much improved. 1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Ess. 1st Ser. i. 15 I hold..that the details..are altogether unhistorical. d. With object and complement or extension: To think, consider, esteem, regard as. Const. with simple complement or (archaic) with as, for, or with infinitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > appraise, estimate [verb (transitive)] > consider to be, account as telleOE talec897 seeOE letc1000 holdc1200 reckon1340 aima1382 accounta1387 counta1387 judgec1390 takea1400 countc1400 receivec1400 existimatec1430 to look on ——?c1430 makec1440 reputea1449 suppose1474 treatc1485 determinea1513 recount?c1525 esteem1526 believe1533 estimate?1533 ascribe1535 consider1539 regard1547 count1553 to look upon ——1553 take1561 reck1567 eye?1593 censure1597 subscribe1600 perhibit1613 behold1642 resent1642 attributea1657 fancy1662 vogue1675 decount1762 to put down1788 to set down1798 rate1854 have1867 mean1878 c1200 Vices & Virtues 63 And halt him seluen for ierðe. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 144 Alle blisse haldeð hit to fallen inmisliche of þeose fondinges. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4030 Heo heolden hine for hæhne godd. a1300 Cursor Mundi 27135 Þou haldes þin aun gilt bot light. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 288 Whan this iape is told another day I sal ben halden a daf a Cokenay. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 141 And to been holden digne of reuerence. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 83 I requyre you that ye wille holde me for excused. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. M.viij^v They were holden and reputed as goddes after their death. 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper iii. 202 I hold mine own Religion so good, as it needs not fetch lustre from the disgrace of another. 1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. xxiii. 179 The very idea of resistance..they hold as absurd. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 185 He held the lives of other men as cheap as his own. 1864 J. H. Newman Apologia 419 If you would not scruple in holding Paley for an honest man. e. Of a judge or court: To state as an authoritative opinion; to lay down as a point of law; to decide. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > judge or determine judicially [verb (transitive)] deemc950 findeOE adjudge?c1400 judge1477 retour1497 conclude1523 sentence1586 deraign1601 discern1622 cognosce1634 censure1640 hold1642 adjudicatea1695 1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. v. §306. 135 It hath been holden in the time of King Henry the third. 1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. iii. 49 It is clearly held, that one acquitted as principal may be indicted as an accessory after the fact. 1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) III. 360 The Master of the Rolls held that the renewed lease was a new acquistion, which vested in the daughter as a purchaser. 1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. vi. 47 The Court..held that the plea to its jurisdiction was insufficient. f. To have in a specified relation to the mind or thought; to entertain a specified feeling towards; in such phrases as to hold in esteem, contempt, memory, etc. For these phrases, transitive verbs may usually be substituted; thus to hold in esteem = to esteem; to hold in contempt = to despise; to hold in memory = to remember. ΚΠ a1300 Cursor Mundi 2610 Yone lasce..Als in despit sco haldes me. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4245 Putifer..held ioseph in mensk and are. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. B.iv^v In so hyghe estimation it holdeth the virtuous. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. xxi. 111 The temple of Solomon..which they holde in great reverence. 1611 Bible (King James) Phil. ii. 29 Hold such in reputation. View more context for this quotation 1718 Free-thinker No. 64. 2 Magna Charta..with us is justly held in the greatest Veneration. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 304 The wise and mighty one who is to be held in honour. †13. a. To offer as a wager; to wager, bet, ‘lay’. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.) laya1300 wed1362 to lay downc1430 setc1460 jeopardc1470 wage1484 holda1500 pary?a1505 to stake down1565 stake1591 gagec1598 bet?a1600 go1607 wagera1616 abet1617 impone1702 sport1706 stand1795 gamble1813 parlay1828 ante1846 to put on1890 plunge1919 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 196 I hold here a grote She lykys me not weyll. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 691/2 I holde the a penye I tell the where this bell ryngeth. 1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene Looking Glasse sig. D I hold my Cap to a noble, that the Usurer hath giuen him some gold. 1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife ii. 20 Const. I'll hold you a Guinea you don't make her tell it you. Sir J. I'll hold you a Guinea I do. 1719 T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth II. 54 I'll hold ye five Guineas to four. 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man ii. 20 I'll hold you a guinea of that, my dear. †b. To accept as a wager. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > accept bet > accept as a bet hold1530 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 586/2 Lay downe your monaye, I holde it, sus boutez vostre argent, je le tiens. 1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 5 Sayth the Conny, and I durst hold twelue pence more, why, I hold you saith the Barnackle. 1626 Scogin's Jests in Shaks. Jest Bk. (1864) II. 103 Yes..and on that I will lay twenty pound. I hold it said the knight: lay downe the Money. 14. Billiards. = hole v.¹ 6 [A corruption of hole, by association of holed and hold: compare 2, 5] ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [verb (transitive)] > play (the ball) in specific way hazard1674 string1680 miss1746 pocket1756 hole1803 spot1844 nurse1850 draw1860 pot1860 hold1869 dribble1873 fluke1881 scratch1909 1869 W. L. Blackley Word Gossip 74 A player is continually said to have held a ball when he drives it into a pocket. 1877 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 4) 283 Billiard players say, ‘I held the ball’, instead of I holed it. II. Intransitive and absolute uses. 15. a. To do the act of holding; to keep hold; to maintain one's grasp; to cling. Also with by (†upon, to).Apparently by is intrumental: cf. ‘he held the pig by the ears’ with ‘he held by the pig's ears’. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold or grip [verb (intransitive)] holdc1305 to hold on1830 c1305 St. Dunstan 82 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 36 Þe deuel wrickede her and þer: and he [Dunstan] huld euere faste. 1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie sig. Bvi^v He toke sanctuary, and held by the hornes of the aultare. 1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Iiij^v Some hold fast vpon the saiyng of .S. Augustine, and buylde wonders vpon that text. 1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. E.i^v Holde fast when ye haue it. 1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 4 Do as if you were going over a Bridge..hold fast by the Rail. 1798 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening (ed. 2) xiv. 190 If the plants hold tight to the pots,..a long thin narrow bladed knife, will be proper to loosen the sides. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Epic in Poems (new ed.) II. 2 There was no anchor, none, To hold by. †b. In the imperative, used in offering or presenting; = Here! take it! [= French tiens, Scots hae.] ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)] > imperative used in giving hold1490 1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) vi. 154 Holde here, worthy knyghte Reynawde, I gyve you my suster to your wyff & spouse. 1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) sig. Cii^v Holde here is a couple of pence for thee. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. i. 4 Hold, take my Sword. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 150 Hold, there's money for thee. View more context for this quotation c. Commerce. To retain goods, etc.; not to sell. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (intransitive)] > not sell hold1890 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer I. xiv. 241 What will you take for that cattle station..? No use holding, you know. 1892 Standard 7 Nov. 6/6 Spinners are holding tenaciously for full rates. d. Of a female animal: To retain the seed; to conceive. Also to hold to (the male). ΘΚΠ the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (intransitive)] > conceive pondrec1450 stock1478 hold1607 1607 G. Markham Cavelarice i. 40 It is moste infalliable that she holdeth. 1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) i. iii. 34 To know whether your Mare hold to the Horse or no. 1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 i. 64 A disposition in cows to conceive (or ‘hold to the bull’). 1891 Field 28 Nov. 805/2 The chances are against the mare holding. e. Only in present participle holding: ‘financial’, in funds. Australian and New Zealand colloquial. ΚΠ c1926 ‘Mixer’ Transport Workers' Song Bk. 11 ‘What~ho, Jerry, how yer holding?’..‘I haven't made enough this week For to pay the blooming rent.’ 1930 Bulletin (Sydney) 29 Oct. 21/1 Whether a man was 'oldin' or whether a man was broke, Joe was a man you could bank on. f. To be in possession of drugs for sale. U.S. slang. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > take drugs [verb (intransitive)] > possess drugs for sale hold1935 1935 A. J. Pollock Underworld Speaks 3/2 Are you holding? Have you any dope to sell? 1953 W. S. Burroughs Junkie ii. 30 The connection was here about ten minutes ago. This character's holding, but he won't turn loose of any. 1961 R. Russell Sound (1962) i. i. 15 Don't jump the light, baby, mother's holding, you know. 1961 R. Russell Sound (1962) ii. ix. 158 He was holding, just as Red had said. Santa had the sweets. 16. Of things: To maintain connection; to remain fast or unbroken; not to give way or become loose. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > be or become attached or affixed [verb (intransitive)] > remain attached sticka1350 steekc1390 holdc1400 hang1639 stay1684 to keep on1892 c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 142 And þe nose were kutt al awey but þat it held faste at boþe þe eendis..of þe wounde. ?c1425 (c1390) G. Chaucer Fortune 38 Yit halt thin ancre and yit thow mayst aryue. 1511 Pylgrymage Richarde Guylforde (Pynson) f. xlvij^v They let fall the thyrde Ancre which thankyd be almyghty god helde faste. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 34 If the sprindge hold, the Cocke's mine. View more context for this quotation 1648 Cornu-Copia in Harl. Misc. (1810) VI. 33 To make glue for the joining of boards..that shall hold faster than the boards themselves. 1795 W. Osbaldiston Brit. Sportsman 259 One of them will hold better than two of the common sort [of nails]. 1891 Illustr. London News 31 Jan. 140/3 The helm was perfectly sound, and the lashings held bravely. 1893 Longman's Mag. Apr. 552 The lock held. 17. To maintain one's attachment; to remain faithful or attached; to adhere, keep, ‘stick’ to; to abide by. (Sometimes approaching sense 21.) ΚΠ c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 61 We..biheten him festliche þat we wolden eure to him holden. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1171 And þat she sholde til him holde. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 355 For she..Hath set me for a finall ende The point, wherto that I shall holde. 1611 Bible (King James) Matt. vi. 24 Hee will holde to the one, and despise the other. View more context for this quotation a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. iii. 77 If they hold to their Principles. 1865 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 1 ii. 323 Herefordshire has held stoutly by its native breed. 1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxlviii, in Monthly Packet July 2 The Queen..held to her purpose. 18. To have capacity or contents; spec. in Hunting, said of a covert: To contain game. ΘΚΠ the world > space > [verb (intransitive)] > have capacity hold1581 the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting area > [verb (intransitive)] > to have capacity hold1891 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xl. 232 I wishe the roome..large to holde, and conuenient to holde handsomely. 1891 Field 21 Nov. 791/2 It [a covert] did not hold to-day, and we went on to..Bourke's Gorse. 1893 Field 11 Feb. 190/1 Leslie's Gorse did not hold. 19. a. To hold property by some tenure, to derive title to something (of or from a superior). ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of or hold as tenant [verb (transitive)] > hold of or from another holdc1275 rely1586 c1275 Luue Ron 102 in Old Eng. Misc. 96 Henri king of engelonde, of hym he halt, and to hym buhþ. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 42 He com vnto Gaynesburgh, of Suane forto halde. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. vii He made alle lordes that helde of the croune to come in. 1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cvii As thou doest hold of thy kynge So doeth thy tenaut holde of the. 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 156 A second sort of men that made the King uncapable to hold by conquest was the Clergy. 1738 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) I. Pref. p. x Not holding of a superior power. 1868 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2nd Ser. 4 ii. 264 Mr. Sisman holds under a 21 years' lease. 1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xi. 206 Men holding by knight's service. †b. Of a possession or right: To be held (of or from). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > [verb (intransitive)] > be held as a right hold1648 society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of property [verb (intransitive)] > be held of or from another hold1648 1648 Cromwell in Carlyle (1871) II. 106 A Lease which holds of your College. 1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour i. ii. 12 My Crown is absolute, and holds of none. 1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 29 Allodium..signifies Land that holds of no body, we have no such Land in England. 20. To depend; to belong or pertain. Const. of, †on, at. Now only as figurative from 19. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [verb (intransitive)] belimpOE beholda1067 belielOE pertaina1325 pendc1330 appendc1386 appertainc1386 holdc1430 pretenda1470 recorda1500 depend1525 extenda1533 inherea1628 to make to ——1645 apply1741 c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iii. lviii. 171 It holt not of hire but of yow; Helpeth me! 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 30 What euyll woldest thou doo, if hit helde at no man, but at the. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 54 It holdeth not on me. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 241 Yet are generally all rare things and such as breede maruell & admiration somewhat holding of the vndecent. 1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies v. iii. 64 Julia goes first, Gonsalvo hangs on her, And Angellina holds upon Gonsalvo, As I on Angellina. 1889 W. S. Lilly Cent. of Revol. 146 No wonder, for genius holds of the noumenal. 21. to hold with (arch. of, †on, for): to maintain allegiance to; to side with, be of the party of; colloquial to agree with or approve of. (Cf. 17.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] shoveOE to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1154 favour1362 abetc1380 sustainc1390 supportc1405 courage1470 comfort1481 friend1550 through-bear1554 countenance1568 foster1569 favourize1585 seconda1586 sidea1601 rally1624 feed1626 countenance1654 encourage1668 inserve1683 to go strong on1822 partake1861 sponsor1884 to hold a brief for1888 root1889 rah-rah1940 affirm1970 babysit1973 barrack- the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > approve of, accept, or sanction [verb (transitive)] loveeOE underfoc1000 underfong?c1225 undertakea1250 provec1300 allowa1325 favour1340 approvec1380 seem?c1450 conprovec1503 avow1530 rectify1567 annuate1585 to be for1590 sancite1597 improve1603 applauda1616 acclamate1624 resenta1646 own1649 comprobate1660 sanction1797 likea1825 approbate1833 to hold with (arch. of, on, for)1895 agree1900 endorse1914 condone1962 1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1140 ⁋6 Ðat he neure ma mid te king his brother wolde halden. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2308 He swore, Þat he sholde with him halde Boþe ageynes stille and bolde. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 458 They aughte rathere with me for to holde. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. lv^v/2 I am a paynym, & holde for my god Mahoun. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiv. 159 If any dwelland be..That wyll not hold holly on me And on Mahowne. 1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. 1 Cor. Argt. f. i^v Therof rose these sediciouse wordes, I holde of Apollo, I holde of Cephas, I hold of Paule. 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. vi. xl. 116 Some other there were that helde with both sides. 1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 6 It was not with the orthodox that he usually held. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. i. i. 7 These, and what holds of these, may pray,—to Beelzebub, or whoever will hear them. 1895 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 502 I don't hold with him buying flowers when his children haven't got enough to eat. 22. To maintain one's position (against an adversary); of a place, to be held or occupied; to hold out: cf. to hold out 10 at Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > against opposition holda1132 keep1600 a1132 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1123 Se kyng held stranglice hem to geanes. c1305 St. Edmund 493 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 84 Þe Couent ek of Canterbury aȝen seint Edmund hulde faste. 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4144 Alle..Þat o-gaynes Goddes laghe will halde. 14.. Songs & Carols 15th C. (Percy Soc.) 27 Her husbondes agens hem durn not holde. 1523 King Henry VIII in J. O. Halliwell Lett. Kings Eng. (1846) I. 279 As touching Berwick..it hath ere this holden against great puissance. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 173 Our force by Land, Hath Nobly held . View more context for this quotation 1640 J. Yorke Union of Honour 40 Beating downe such holds as held against him. a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1765) 3 [He] betook himself to London, that City then holding for the Parliament. figurative.1776 Maiden Aunt I. 145 Do you not hold for congruity of soul in friendship, as well as love? 23. a. To continue, remain, or ‘keep’ in a state or course; to last, endure. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue bidec893 ofstandeOE astandc1000 restOE holdc1175 dure1297 akeepc1300 lastc1300 arrest1393 containc1400 perseverec1425 reserve1529 to run on1533 to stick by ——1533 persist1538 persist1539 to hold up1582 retaina1631 persist1659 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3253 Vss birrþ biginnenn god to don & haldenn a. þær onne. a1400 Coer de L. 2419 To another town he went and held there. 1465 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 135 If þe werre hold. 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 25^v The housing of cattle, while winter doth holde. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 36 Your resolution cannot hold . View more context for this quotation 1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus vi. 132 He entred into a Treaty with the Czar of Muscovy, which held a long time. 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 66 The Battle, they said, held two Hours. 1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. v. 18 The bloom of beauty holds but a very few years. 1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxii. 219 I was only too glad, however, to see that their appetites held. 1888 ‘F. Warden’ Woman's Face II. xiii. 55 The frost still held. b. with complement or extension. ΚΠ a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiii. 293 Aha! hold still thore! 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings v. 9 So Naaman came..and helde still at the dore of Eliseus house. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke vi. 42 Holde styll Brother, I wil plucke y^e moate out of thyne eye. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 86 I will holde friends with you Ladie. View more context for this quotation 1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 242 Shingles seldom hold to be all 4 Inches broad. 1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. i. 68 Hold still, horse! 1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 V. lvii. 442 They held at him in this fashion to the very end. 1879 W. Minto Defoe x. 161 Editors of journals held aloof from him. 1890 W. C. Russell Ocean Trag. III. xxvii. 54 The weather held phenomenally silent. c. To be or remain valid; to subsist; to be in force; to apply. Also to hold good, to hold true. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > be or remain valid [verb (intransitive)] standOE holdc1315 to hold out water1598 to run on all fours1617 hold water1622 to pass for (later as) sterling1641 ring1857 c1315 Shoreham 64 That treuthynge darf naut healde. 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 127 b My rule holdeth not. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III ii. iii. 7 Doth this newes hold of good King Edwards death? View more context for this quotation 1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. ii. 30 Thou saiest well, and it holds wel to. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. i. 3 Does the Rumor hold for true, That hee's so full of Gold? View more context for this quotation 1655 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick ii. 4 This rule likewise holds if the Notes descend a second. c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 11 The same reason holds good also as to the sacrement of the Lord's supper. 1716 J. Addison Freeholder No. 31 The Logick will hold true of him which is applied to the great Judge of all the earth. 1818 P. B. Shelley Let. 30 Apr. (1964) II. 14 But this holds good, as I know, only to Milan. 1825 J. R. McCulloch Princ. Polit. Econ. i. 15 It will hold good in nineteen out of twenty instances. 1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 ii. 192 The same reason holds with regard to corn. 1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 33 The saying of the poet holds true in a large degree. 1892 H. R. Mill Realm of Nature vii. 101 This law does not hold for gases. 1937 Discovery May 139/1 His words of seven years ago hold good today. d. To continue fine, to keep from raining. (Cf. to hold up 9 at Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > remain fine to hold up1601 hold1893 1893 Chambers's Jrnl. 10 June 355/2 If the weather holds, we'll both take a trip. 24. To continue to go, keep going, go on, move on, proceed, continue, or make one's way. Now esp. to hold on one's way or course. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > a straight course > go in a straight course [verb (intransitive)] > not deviate hold1508 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii^v The heynd knight at his haist held to the tovne. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat* l. 945 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 124 And Ilk fowle tuke ye flicht..Held hame to yar hant and yar herbery. 1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Q But if they hold on head, And scorne to beare my yoke. 1627 J. Carter Plaine Expos. Serm. in Mount 124 It lyeth us in hand to hold on our way. 1743 J. Morris Serm. vii. 183 He held on his way from the city. 1793 R. Burns in G. Thomson Sel. Coll. Orig. Sc. Airs I. i. 2 Here awa, there awa, haud awa hame. 1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. I. xi. 242 We proceeded in a westerly course, and held up the lovely valley of Bakatla. 1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 376 I've held on my course when better men than you have asked me to veil topsails. 1891 Field 24 Oct. 633/1 Instead of holding to Oakhill Wood, the pack bore to the right. 1892 Field 30 Jan. 153/1 The merry chase held forward up the hill. †25. To avail, profit, be of use: in interrogative or negative sentences. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)] dowc950 frameOE fremeOE helpc1000 gainc1175 holdc1175 vail1303 yainc1325 it is speedfulc1340 profit1340 speedc1380 prowa1400 bootc1400 prevailc1450 avail1489 mister1490 skill1528 stead1594 advantagea1616 conduce1624 c1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Hwet halt þe wredðe seodðan þus god almihtin hauet ihaten? c1175 Lamb. Hom. 33 Ne halt nawiht þat scrift. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 105 Þo was þis lond kyngles, wat halt yt to telle longe? c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 918 What halt it long to striue? Mi leue y take at te. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1602 What halt hit muche her-of to telle to drecchen ous of our lay? 26. To take place, be held; to occur, prevail. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)] becomec888 i-tidec888 falleOE ywortheOE i-limp975 belimpOE i-timeOE worthOE tidea1131 goa1200 arearc1275 syec1275 betide1297 fere1297 risea1350 to come aboutc1350 overcomea1382 passa1393 comea1400 to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400 eschew?a1400 chevec1400 shapec1400 hold1462 to come (also go) to pass1481 proceed?1518 occura1522 bechance1527 overpass1530 sorta1535 succeed1537 adventurec1540 to fall toc1540 success1545 to fall forth1569 fadge1573 beword?1577 to fall in1578 happen1580 event1590 arrive1600 offer1601 grow1614 fudge1615 incur1626 evene1654 obvene1654 to take place1770 transpire1775 to go on1873 to show up1879 materialize1885 break1914 cook1932 to go down1946 1462 R. Calle in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 370 The gayle delyverye holdeth not this daye. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. ii. 52 What newes from Oxford, do these iusts & triump hs [sic] hold ? View more context for this quotation 1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. i. 15 The Estates and Parliament generall of France..met and held but twice in the yeare only. 1892 Field 19 Mar. 404/1 Stormy weather again holds in north of Scotland. 27. (for reflexive) To restrain oneself, refrain, forbear; to cease, stop, give over. Often in imperative as an exclamation: = Stop! archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] to let bec1000 fastOE withdraw1297 letc1374 forbearc1375 abstaina1382 sparec1386 respitea1393 to let alonea1400 refraina1402 supersede1449 deport1477 to hold one's handa1500 spare1508 surcease1542 detract1548 to hold back1576 hold1589 to stand by1590 to hold up1596 suspend1598 stickle1684 to hold off1861 to bottle it1988 1589 P. Ive tr. R. Beccarie de Pavie Instr. Warres 265 If a third doe crie hould, to the intent to parte them. a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) 170 When he heareth any Fidlers, he cannot hold but he must keepe time. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. x. 34 Lay on Macduffe, And damn'd be him, that first cries hold, enough. View more context for this quotation 1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 121 She could not hold from saying this. 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. vii. 19 Hold fast Gunner, do not fire till we hail them. 1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal v. 45 Well, I can hold no longer..there's no induring of him. 1794 R. B. Sheridan Duenna (new ed.) i. 26 Hold,..a thought has struck me. 1819 P. B. Shelley Rosalind & Helen 18 ‘Hold, hold!’ He cried,—‘I tell thee 'tis her brother!’ 28. In shooting: To take aim, to aim. hold on, to aim directly at the game. hold ahead, to aim ahead of it. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > shooting > shoot [verb (intransitive)] > manner or type of grousec1798 to set up1824 to shoot for the stick1834 to go to rode1838 to fire into the brown (of them)1845 set1859 hold ahead1881 hold on1881 rough-shoot1937 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > take aim aim1566 vizyc1600 hold1881 to aim off1904 to draw down1907 1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 485 It is a much disputed point amongst all who use the gun whether the shooter should ‘hold on’ or ‘ahead’. III. Phrases. (to hold the plough, the reins, one's sides, see 2 and 3c; to hold to bail, see 10c; to hold good, true, see 23c; to hold at bay: see bay n.⁴ 3, to hold one's breath: see breath n., to hold a candle to: see candle n., to have and to hold: see have v., to hold the field: see field n.¹, to hold one's ground: see ground n., to hold with the hare and run with the hounds: see hare n., to hold one's jaw: see jaw n.¹, to hold one's mud: see mud n.¹, to hold one's nose: see nose n., to hold one's peace: see peace n., to hold (in) play: see play n., to hold short: see short adj., n., and adv., to hold tack: see tack n.¹, to hold one's tongue: see tongue n.) 29. hold (..) hand. a. to hold one's hand: to stay or arrest one's hand in the act of doing something; hence gen. to refrain, forbear. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] to let bec1000 fastOE withdraw1297 letc1374 forbearc1375 abstaina1382 sparec1386 respitea1393 to let alonea1400 refraina1402 supersede1449 deport1477 to hold one's handa1500 spare1508 surcease1542 detract1548 to hold back1576 hold1589 to stand by1590 to hold up1596 suspend1598 stickle1684 to hold off1861 to bottle it1988 society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > fence [verb (intransitive)] > actions traversea1470 to hold one's handa1500 flourish1552 lock1579 to come in1594 retire1594 pass1595 recover1600 redouble1640 allonge1652 caveat1652 parry1671 disengage1684 overlap1692 volt1692 tierce1765 whip1771 wrench1771 lunge1809 salute1809 riposte1823 cut1833 quart1833 repost1848 remise1889 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iv. 56 I byd the hold thi hand. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxii. C It is ynough, holde now thy hande. ?1602 Narcissus (MS Bodl. Rawl. poet. 212) (1893) 654 Dorastus, hold thy handes, for I am slaine. 1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. vi. 64 Called for an Axe to cut the Mizan Shrouds... He bid him hold his hand a little. 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 30 (Jam.) She hads her hand. 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ Mrs. Bob I. vii. 118 She knew when to hold her hand and when to pile on all her strength. †b. to hold hand: (a) to bear a hand, to contribute help or support, co-operate, concur; (b) to be on an equality with, to match (quot. 1595 for to hold out 6 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (intransitive)] help?c1225 to shove at the cart1421 supply1446 assist?1518 to lend a hand (or a helping hand)1598 to hold handc1600 to put to one's hand (also hands)1603 seconda1609 subminister1611 to give (lend) a lift1622 to lay (a) hand1634 to give a hand1682 to bear a hand1710 to chip in1872 the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > be or become equal [verb (intransitive)] > rival or vie with strive?c1225 countervailc1525 to hold handc1600 compete1620 to keep upa1633 competition1650 tie1680 to fall over one another1888 c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 146 The Queyne of Ingland directit Sir Johnne Forster, Lord Warden of the Middle Marches..to mak sum incursions aganis them of Scotland syde, and she sould hald hand uponn hir syde, that thay sould not escape but captevitie or puneisment. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 495 She in beautie, education, blood, Holdes hand with any Princesse of the world. View more context for this quotation 1616 T. Gainsford Rich Cabinet Curtesie and charitie doe commonly hold hands together. 1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 218 I hope you'll hold hand to this History of the Sufferings, since you have it so much at heart. †c. to hold in hand: to assure (one); to maintain (that...). To pay attention to; to keep in expectation or suspense (see hand n. Phrases 1f(a)(iii), Phrases 2j(a)). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)] haveOE werea1300 maintainc1350 confirmc1380 sustainc1430 defendc1475 to hold in hand1530 uphold1530 soothea1556 dispute1610 sticklea1661 to hold out1847 claim1864 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 587/1 He holdeth me in hande that he wyll ryde out of towne. a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 127 They..who hold in hand that this Chester..was so named from a Gyant the builder thereof. d. to hold someone's hand, to give comfort or moral support to someone; to back someone up. colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (intransitive)] > give moral support to hold someone's hand1935 1935 C. Isherwood Mr. Norris changes Trains vi. 90 I shall need your moral support. You must come and hold my hand. 1961 A. Wilson Old Men at Zoo iv. 220 Martha's been holding his hand in California. 1972 B. Everitt Cold Front vii. 55 I ‘held his hand’ to the best of my ability with school-girl French and passable Italian. 30. hold..head. a. to hold one's head high: to behave proudly or arrogantly; (also) = sense 30b. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > be proud [verb (intransitive)] > behave proudly swella1250 to make it stoutc1315 to bear oneself stout1338 bridlea1475 to make it prouda1500 strut1518 to set up one's bristles1529 strut?c1570 square1584 square1590 swagger1600 to take on1603 puff1633 fluster1698 to hold one's head high1707 crest1713 to set out the shin1719 straddle1802 1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility viii. 339 The proud man holds up his head too high to see his way. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. lvi. 131 I have desired that they should be able to hold their heads high in the world. b. to hold up one's head (figurative): to maintain one's dignity, self-respect, or cheerfulness. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > proper pride or self-respect > retain one's self-respect [verb (intransitive)] to hold up one's head1553 to walk tall1846 to live with oneself1962 1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique i. f. 15 None can holde vp their heades, or dare shewe their faces..that are not thought honest. a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 27 Do's he not hold vp his head (as it were?) and strut in his gate? View more context for this quotation 1808 J. Austen Let. 30 June (1995) 137 Her Daughter..who says as little as ever, but holds up her head & smiles. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. x. 585 He had never held up his head since the Chancellor had been dragged into the justice room in the garb of a collier. 1859 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? (1st Edinb. ed.) I. ii. v. 171 But they could never again hold up their heads with the noblemen and great squires in the county. 1900 E. Wharton Gift from Grave vi. 80 Why, you don't suppose if he were alive he could ever hold up his head again, with these letters being read by everybody? a1953 E. O'Neill Touch of Poet (1957) 33 Nora. You have the fine opinion av yourself! Sara... I've had need to have, to hold my head up, slaving as a waitress and chambermaid. 31. a. hold one's own. To maintain one's position against a competitor or an opposing force of any kind; to stand one's ground. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > successfully hold one's ownc1330 to hold (a) spurna1400 to fight off1787 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 71 Sir Harald..Fulle wele his awen suld hald, if he had kept his treuth. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. FFviii^v Neuer say (Mea culpa)..but holde thyne owne. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 117 Now Aiax hould thine owne. View more context for this quotation 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 271 Our Sheet Anchor held its own. 1859 J. Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) I. 194 Frightful superstitions still hold their own over two-thirds of the inhabited globe. 1882 Ld. Tennyson Charge Heavy Brigade ii. in Macmillan's Mag Mar. 338 He wheel'd his sabre, and he held his own Like an Englishman there and then. †b. To hold good. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) iii. 32 Does that newes hold his owne still, that our ships Are..on the Downes With such a wealthy fraughtage. 32. hold water. a. To stop a boat by holding the blades of the oars flat against the boat's way. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop > stop boat hold watera1618 a1618 W. Raleigh Disc. Invention Shipping 10 in Judicious & Select Ess. (1650) The Pomerlanders..used a kind of Boate, with the prowe at both ends, so as they need not to wend or hold water. 1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 30 To row, a spell, hold-water, trim the boate. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms at Nage stribord Pull the starboard-oars, and hold water with the larboard oars! 1875 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports (ed. 12) ii. viii. ii. §1. 648 Holding water is necessary when the boat is to be suddenly stopped. b. To retain water, not to let water through or out (sense 5): hence, figurative. To be sound, valid, or tenable; to bear a test or examination; to hold good when put to the test. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > liquid > liquid which has been emitted > action or process of leaking > leak, of liquid [verb (intransitive)] > not let out through a leak hold watera1400 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > be or remain valid [verb (intransitive)] standOE holdc1315 to hold out water1598 to run on all fours1617 hold water1622 to pass for (later as) sterling1641 ring1857 a1400 [see sense 5a]. a1425 [see sense 5a]. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. ii. 13 Vile and broken pittes, that holde no water. 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 79 This..will not hold water nor doe vs that good wee thought. 1652 J. French York-shire Spaw ii. 32 Let them produce a more rational account of any other opinion, that will hold water..better than this of mine doth. 1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote II. iv. xiv. 424 Brothers, said he, ‘the demand of Loggerhead will not hold water.’ 1889 G. Allen Tents of Shem III. li. 252 I think these documents will hold water. 33. hold wind. Nautical. To keep near the wind in sailing without making leeway; to keep well to windward: usually to hold a good wind. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > sail close to the wind > without making leeway to keep one's (the, a good) wind1666 hold wind1759 point1881 1759 in A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. (1805) III. 360 To lie down in the fore-part of the boat, to bring her more by the head, in order to make her hold a better wind. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Sourdre au vent, to hold a good wind, to claw or eat to windward. 1839 F. Marryat Phantom Ship I. viii. 166 The vessels..could hold no wind. 1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 587 The Duke..signalled to the whole fleet to brace round their yards and hold the wind between the two English divisions. Phrasal verbs With adverbs.† to hold aback Obsolete. transitive. To restrain, hinder. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (transitive)] letc888 shrenchc897 forstanda1000 amarOE disturbc1290 impeachc1380 stopc1380 withstandc1385 hinder1413 accloy1422 hindc1426 to hold abackc1440 appeachc1460 impeditec1535 inhibit1535 obstacle1538 damp1548 trip1548 embarrass1578 dam1582 to clip the wings ofa1593 unhelp1598 uppen1600 straiten1607 rub1608 impediment1610 impedea1616 to put out1616 to put off1631 scote1642 obstruct1645 incommodiate1650 offend1651 sufflaminate1656 hindrance1664 disassist1671 clog1679 muzzle1706 squeeze1804 to take the wind out of the sails of1822 throttle1825 block1844 overslaugh1853 snag1863 gum1901 slow-walk1965 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] pindeOE steerc950 hold971 forbidc1000 withstewc1175 withholdc1200 stewa1225 crempa1250 bistintc1300 i-stillc1315 withdraw1340 entemperc1380 rebukec1380 forfenda1382 refraina1382 refrainc1390 restraina1393 restayc1400 retainc1415 to hold abackc1440 overholda1450 reclaim?c1450 revokec1450 bedwynge1480 sniba1500 repressa1525 rein1531 inhibit1535 to keep back1535 cohibit1544 reprimec1550 lithe1552 to rein up1574 check1581 embridle1583 to rein in1593 retrench1594 refrenate1599 to hold back1600 snip1601 becheck1605 sneap1611 trasha1616 supersede1645 reprimand1689 snape1691 to clap a guy on1814 to pull up1861 to pull in1893 withstrain1904 c1440 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1895) I. 299 Prayere..haldes hyme [sc. the fiend] obake. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 75 He held þe peple abak by two kalfis þat þei worschipid not God. a1545 Howe Euery Thinge in J. Skelton Certayne Bks. (c1563) 22 And when time is, put thy selfe in prease, And when time is, to holde thy selfe a backe. 1678 J. Brown Quakerisme Path-way to Paganisme viii. 204 People may be the more encouraged to come over difficulties, and not to hearken to temptations, to hold them aback from Christ the Peace maker. to hold back 1. transitive. To keep back; to restrain; to reserve from disclosure; to retain. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)] > keep back, not mention heelOE to hold back1535 whust1558 whist1570 to keep in1574 to keep back1612 to keep up1678 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] pindeOE steerc950 hold971 forbidc1000 withstewc1175 withholdc1200 stewa1225 crempa1250 bistintc1300 i-stillc1315 withdraw1340 entemperc1380 rebukec1380 forfenda1382 refraina1382 refrainc1390 restraina1393 restayc1400 retainc1415 to hold abackc1440 overholda1450 reclaim?c1450 revokec1450 bedwynge1480 sniba1500 repressa1525 rein1531 inhibit1535 to keep back1535 cohibit1544 reprimec1550 lithe1552 to rein up1574 check1581 embridle1583 to rein in1593 retrench1594 refrenate1599 to hold back1600 snip1601 becheck1605 sneap1611 trasha1616 supersede1645 reprimand1689 snape1691 to clap a guy on1814 to pull up1861 to pull in1893 withstrain1904 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxvi. 9 He holdeth back his stole, that it can not be sene. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iii. 66 Many thousand reasons hold me backe. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour iv. i. 37 Sure thou bear'st some Charm, Or some Divinity holds back my Arm. 1841 R. Oastler in Fleet Papers I. xlviii. 379 It is sinful to hold back the truth. 2. intransitive (for reflexive). To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hesitate. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] to let bec1000 fastOE withdraw1297 letc1374 forbearc1375 abstaina1382 sparec1386 respitea1393 to let alonea1400 refraina1402 supersede1449 deport1477 to hold one's handa1500 spare1508 surcease1542 detract1548 to hold back1576 hold1589 to stand by1590 to hold up1596 suspend1598 stickle1684 to hold off1861 to bottle it1988 1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Q.iij^v Hold backe betime, for feare you catch a foyle. 1848 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 III. viii. 374 Holding back when the Native Government was anxious to advance. 1890 Mrs. H. Wood House of Halliwell II. vii. 162 I have held back from asking you. 3. With on: to refrain from disclosing (something to someone). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep quiet about [phrase] to keep or hold (a matter) counsel (later in counsela1400 to keep secret1399 to keep (something) dark1532 to draw a veil over1582 not to tell one's shirt1586 to keep one's (own) counsel1604 to put (also keep) in one's pocketa1616 to name no names1692 to make a secret of1738 to keep (‥) snug1778 to clap, put, or keep the thumb on1825 to wash one's dirty linen at home, in public1867 to hold back1956 to sweep (also brush, kick, etc.) (something) under the rug1956 to get it off one's chest1961 to sweep (or push) (something) under the carpet1963 1956 E. Pound tr. Sophocles Women of Trachis 22 I'll tell the truth, I won't hold back on you. to hold down 1. transitive. To keep down (literal and figurative); to keep under, keep in subjection, repress, oppress. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > low position > put in low position [verb (transitive)] > keep in low position to hold down1533 society > authority > subjection > subjecting or subjugation > subject [verb (transitive)] > keep in subjection to hold down1533 underkeep1590 to keep down1723 snool1735 1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1822) iv. 394 The fame and rumoure thareof was haldin doun amang the Veanis. 1606 J. Marston Parasitaster iv, in Wks. (1856) II. 77 The more held down, they swel. 1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack xix. 129 Confused and holding down my head. 1881 Bible (R.V.) Rom. i. 18 Men who hold down the truth in unrighteousness. 1883 Daily News 1 Feb. 5 Plump English folk, not at all starved or ‘hadden doon’, as his countrymen say. 2. Mining (U.S. and Australia). to hold down a claim (also absol. to hold down): ‘to reside on a section or tract of land long enough to establish a claim to ownership under the homestead law’ ( C.D.). ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > [verb (intransitive)] > claim right to possession > by occupancy of land to hold down a claim1888 society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > mark out claim > guard (claim) shepherd1855 to hold down1888 1888 Harper's Mag. July 236/1 A lone and unprotected female ‘holding down a claim’. 1893 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 10 324/1 In mining slang Pilbarra did not ‘hold down’, and the place was ultimately almost deserted. 3. To remain in (a position or situation); to continue to occupy (a place or post) or succeed in discharging the duties of (one's employment). Originally U.S. colloquial. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > duties > [verb (transitive)] > discharge a duty or office officiate1615 serve1621 managea1627 to hold down1891 pull1941 1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 92 Jumping an east bound freight.., I managed to hold it down or keep on it till I got to Alameda. 1893 Harper's Mag. Dec. 80/2 If a man is to ‘hold down’ a big ranch in northern Mexico he has got to be ‘all man’. 1896 G. Ade Artie xiv. 129 I'll bet that guy up in your place don't know nothin' on earth except how to hold down his measly job. 1902 G. H. Lorimer Lett. Merchant v. 60 The fellow who's got the right stuff in him is holding down his own place with one hand. 1910 S. E. White Rules of Game i. iii. 19 I didn't much think you could hold down a job here. You see there's too much doing here. 1913 F. H. Burnett T. Tembarom ii I wonder, if I ever did get his job, if I could hold it down? 1931 G. D. H. Cole in W. Rose Outl. Mod. Knowl. xvi. 688 There are few pleasures in life equal to that of successfully holding down a difficult and responsible job. 1936 Punch 14 Oct. 439/2 He never could hold down a job. 1973 A. Behrend Samarai Affair i. 12 Captain Coldstream looked exactly what he was—an ex-sailor of quality now holding down an exacting shore job. to hold forth †1. transitive. To keep up, maintain, continue, go on with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] i-haldOE to hold fortha1325 sustainc1325 containc1330 continuea1340 maintainc1385 carrya1393 keepc1425 to keep upa1535 to stick by ——1551 to hold on1568 to hold out1595 to carry on1609 subsist1633 to keep at ——1825 a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 165 Ðis fifte dai held forð his fligt. c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2931 Thus thair wai forth gan thai hald. a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 317 He held forthe his oppynyoun dampnable. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Biv Hold fourth the way of health. †2. intransitive. To continue one's course; to go on, proceed. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)] to hold a wayOE to hold forthc1200 to hold ona1225 reignc1300 lasta1325 continuea1340 to continue doing or to doc1384 pursuea1425 perseverec1425 to hold one's wayc1480 prosecute1528 to go on1533 to run on1533 keep1548 to follow on1560 insist1586 to keep on1589 to carry on1832 to carry on1857 string1869 society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > continue on one's course to hold a wayOE to hold forthc1200 to go ona1500 c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 85 Iohan baptist..bicom eremite and hield forð þerone. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 249 Thai held furth soyn till Ingland. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ix. vi. (heading) Furth haldis Nysus and Eurillius baith tway. †3. transitive. To offer, proffer, propound, set forth, exhibit. ? Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)] uppec897 atewOE sutelec1000 openOE awnc1175 kithec1175 forthteec1200 tawnec1220 let witc1275 forthshowa1300 to pilt out?a1300 showa1300 barea1325 mythc1330 unfoldc1374 to open outc1390 assign1398 mustera1400 reyve?a1400 vouchc1400 manifest?a1425 outshowc1425 ostendc1429 explayc1443 objecta1500 reveala1500 patefy?1509 decipher1529 relieve1533 to set outa1540 utter1542 report1548 unbuckle1548 to set forth1551 demonstrate1553 to hold forth1560 testify1560 explicate1565 forthsetc1565 to give show of1567 denudec1572 exhibit1573 apparent1577 display?1578 carry1580 cipher1583 laya1586 foreshow1590 uncloud?1594 vision1594 explain1597 proclaim1597 unroll1598 discloud1600 remonstrate1601 resent1602 to bring out1608 palesate1613 pronounce1615 to speak out1623 elicit1641 confess1646 bear1657 breathe1667 outplay1702 to throw out1741 evolve1744 announce1781 develop1806 exfoliate1808 evince1829 exposit1882 pack1925 the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)] i-bedea800 bidOE make?a1160 forthc1200 bihedec1275 proffera1325 yielda1382 dressc1384 to serve fortha1393 dight1393 pretend1398 nurnc1400 offerc1425 profita1450 tent1459 tend1475 exhibit1490 propine1512 presentc1515 oblate1548 pretence1548 defer?1551 to hold forth1560 prefer1567 delatea1575 to give forth1584 tender1587 oppose1598 to hold out1611 shore1787 1560 Bible (Geneva) Phil. ii. 16 Holding forthe [ἐπέχοντες] the worde of life. 1648 Eng. Way to Establ. in Harl. Misc. (1810) VI. 42 Now Heaven holds forth power and opportunity far more liberally than ever heretofore. 1704 J. Swift Disc. Mech. Operat. Spirit i, in Tale of Tub 287 This Animal, by whom I take human Nature to be most admirably held forth in all its Qualities. 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 63 A chappel..where Mass was publickly held forth every Day. 1814 Father & Son ii. i The profligacy..that impelled you to hold forth that language to me. 4. intransitive. [ < Philippians ii. 16: see 3.] To preach; to speak publicly, discourse, harangue. (Usually somewhat contemptuous.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > speech-making > make a speech [verb (intransitive)] > discourse or lecture carpa1375 movec1400 descant1536 discourse1547 lecturea1592 homilize1624 dissert1657 lecturize1661 pronounce1663 to hold forth1668 to hold out1689 sermonize1753 dissertate1766 1694 J. Wallis Def. Christian Sabbath ii. 27 The Phrase of Holding-forth was taken up by Non conformists..about the Year 1642 or 1643, as I remember,..in contradistinction to the word Preaching.] 1668 J. Dryden Secret-love v. i. 54 Lord what a misfortune it was..that the Gentleman could not hold forth to you.1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 234 This week William Penn the quaker held forth at the Bull and Mouth in this citty.1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 142. ⁋5 He is able to hold forth upon Canes longer than upon any one Subject in the World.1881 G. M. Craik Sydney II. ix. 262 Netty was holding forth with the utmost eloquence.1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxii. 222 Nature is a silent preacher which holds forth upon week-days as on Sabbaths. to hold hard intransitive (originally a sporting phrase): To pull hard at the reins in order to stop the horse; hence gen. to ‘pull up’, halt, stop. Usually in imperative (colloquial) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > stop short in some activity > as if checked to take check1663 to hold hard1761 to pull up1808 1761 G. Colman Jealous Wife v. iii. 96 Hold hard! hold hard! You are all on a wrong Scent. 1829 Sporting Mag. 23 280 But I must ‘hold hard’ here, as we say in the field. 1854 J. G. Wood Sketches Animal Life (1855) 407 The ‘Hold hard’ of the conductor being sufficient to bring them [horses] to a stop. 1862 Temple Bar 6 310 Hold hard, shipmates. to hold in 1. transitive. To keep in, confine, retain; to restrain, keep in check. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > hold in check bridleOE tempera1050 chastec1230 to hold inc1300 straina1340 stintc1366 attemperc1380 restraina1387 rulea1391 ward1390 coarctc1400 obtemper?a1425 to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425 compesce1430 stent1488 coactc1520 repressa1525 compress1526 control1548 snaffle1555 temperatea1568 brank1574 halter1577 curb1588 shortena1599 to bear (a rein) upon1603 check1629 coerceate1657 bit1825 throttle1862 hold1901 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)] at-hold?c1225 to hold inc1300 withholda1325 distrainc1340 restrain1397 stressa1425 detain1485 to lay fast1560 constrain1590 enstraiten1619 embinda1628 pin1738 coerce1780 deport1909 c1300 Proverbs of Hending x Wis mon halt is wordes ynne. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5527 Wit herd werckes þai [sc. Egyptians] heild þam in. 1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 73 Trie if thou canst hold in an outward smile. 1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxii. 9 As the horse, or as the mule..whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle. View more context for this quotation a1725 J. Swift in Drapier's Lett. (1941) 93 My nag..became such a lover of liberty that I could scarce hold him in. 1888 E. Stuart Joan Vellacot I. x. 192 She held in the ponies, so that they recognized a strong hand. 2. intransitive. To ‘keep in’, continue in some position or condition understood or indicated by context; to restrain oneself, refrain, keep silence; to ‘keep in’ with. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue > in specified state ofstandeOE atstandc1000 goOE standOE containc1380 perseverec1380 contunec1400 to hold inc1400 setc1400 remain?a1450 continue1503 stay1570 keepc1600 subsista1616 c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 142 If a man..couer þe coles þeroff with aschez, þai will hald in quikk a twelfmonth. 1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. i. 77 Such as can hold in . View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Trapp Theologia Theol. 229 To hold in with Princes and great ones. 1702 London Gaz. No. 3838/1 [He] held in pretty near the French Town of Basse-Terre. 1849 J. A. Carlyle tr. Dante Inferno 268 Alichino held in no longer, and in opposition to the others said [etc.]. to hold off 1. transitive. To keep off, away, or at a distance; to put off, delay. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be far from [verb (transitive)] > keep (a thing or person) at a distance to hold offc1420 withhold1513 to keep away1548 to keep off1548 to stop off1722 the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] forslowc888 eldc897 forsita940 gele971 lengOE drilla1300 delayc1300 onfrestc1300 tarryc1320 jornc1330 dretchc1380 defer1382 forbida1387 to put offa1387 to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393 dilate1399 fordrawa1400 to put overc1410 latch?c1422 adjournc1425 prolongc1425 proloynec1425 rejournc1425 to put in respite1428 sleuthc1430 respitea1450 prorogue1453 refer1466 sleep1470 supersede1482 respectc1487 postpone1496 overseta1500 respett1500 enjourna1513 relong1523 retract1524 tarde1524 track1524 to fode forth1525 tract1527 protract1528 further1529 to make stay of1530 surcease1530 prorogate1534 to fay upon longc1540 linger1543 retard?1543 slake1544 procrastine1548 reprieve1548 remit1550 suspense1556 leave1559 shiftc1562 suspend1566 procrastinate1569 dally1574 post1577 to hold off1580 drift1584 loiter1589 postpose1598 to take one's (own) timea1602 flag1602 slug1605 elong1610 belay1613 demur1613 tardya1616 to hang up1623 frist1637 disjourn1642 future1642 off1642 waive1653 superannuate1655 perendinate1656 stave1664 detard1675 remora1686 to put back1718 withhold1726 protract1737 to keep over1847 to hold over1853 laten1860 to lay over1885 hold1891 back-burner1975 c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 98 An heir hil, that wynd that wold offende Let holde of. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 85^v Thou holdest me off with many delayes. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 57 Hold of your hands. 1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxiii. sig. E8^v A meere Complementall Man Is one to be held off still at the same distance you are now. 1725 A. Pope Corr. 14 Dec. (1956) II. 349 Absence does but hold off a Friend, to make one see him the truer. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold off, the keeping the hove-in part of a cable or hawser clear of the capstan. 2. intransitive. To keep oneself or remain off, away, or at a distance; to refrain from action; to delay. ΘΚΠ the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be or remain at a distance [verb (intransitive)] to stand apart1538 to stand off1600 to hold off1604 to keep awaya1616 to keep offa1616 distance1658 to keep one's luff1682 to keep back1836 the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (intransitive)] geleOE studegieOE abideOE to do in or a (= on) fristc1175 dwellc1175 demurc1230 targec1250 dretcha1325 tarrya1375 sojourn1377 defer1382 letc1385 hinderc1386 blina1400 delay?a1400 honea1400 litea1400 overbidea1400 prolongc1425 supersede1433 hoverc1440 tarrowc1480 sunyie1488 stay?a1500 sleep1519 slack1530 protract1540 linger1548 procrastinate1548 slackc1560 slug1565 jauk1568 temporize1579 detract1584 longering1587 sit1591 prorogue1593 to time it out1613 to lie out1640 crastinate1656 taigle17.. to hang fire1782 to hold off1790 to hang it on1819 prevaricate1854 to lie over1856 to tread water1942 to drag one's feet1946 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] to let bec1000 fastOE withdraw1297 letc1374 forbearc1375 abstaina1382 sparec1386 respitea1393 to let alonea1400 refraina1402 supersede1449 deport1477 to hold one's handa1500 spare1508 surcease1542 detract1548 to hold back1576 hold1589 to stand by1590 to hold up1596 suspend1598 stickle1684 to hold off1861 to bottle it1988 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 292 If you loue me hold not of. View more context for this quotation 1790 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 133 Holding off, therefore, nearly three months. 1861 Temple Bar 1 339 The only person who at all held off from joining. 1887 Spectator 1 Oct. 1301 The storm may hold off. 1891 Longman's Mag. Oct. 592 The galleons..had been observed to hold off. 1893 Field 15 Apr. 555/1 The rain ‘holds off’. 3. nonce-use as adj. ( hold-off). Given to holding off; distant. ΚΠ 1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxiv. 286 I saw I must be extremely hold-off in my relations. to hold on 1. transitive. To keep (something) on; to retain in its place on something. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep (something) on to hold ona1529 a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 118 Why holde ye on yer cap, syr, then? 1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 106 Henry VIII^th's Charter to Stephen Tucker for holding on his Hat before the King. 1899 N.E.D. at Hold Mod. I can't keep on a bicycle unless somebody holds me on. †2. To continue, keep up, carry on. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] i-haldOE to hold fortha1325 sustainc1325 containc1330 continuea1340 maintainc1385 carrya1393 keepc1425 to keep upa1535 to stick by ——1551 to hold on1568 to hold out1595 to carry on1609 subsist1633 to keep at ——1825 1568 (?a1513) W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 252 Hald on thy intent. 1630 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. §lxiiii Thus bountifull House-keepers hold on their set ordinary provision. 1757 R. Griffith & E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances II. ccxlv. 187 I..am pleased to find, that you still hold on a Correspondence with her. 1809 R. Cumberland John de Lancaster I. 150 In order to hold it [the harangue] on. 3. intransitive. To keep one's hold or grasp on something; to cling on; also figurative. Also in jocular phrases. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold or grip [verb (intransitive)] holdc1305 to hold on1830 1830 N. S. Wheaton Jrnl. 508 The rolling and tossing of the ship oblige us to ‘hold on’. 1861 Temple Bar 3 509 I found myself holding on to a piece of plank. 1877 C. H. Spurgeon Serm. XXIII. 361 As though he held on by his teeth. 1930 ‘Sapper’ Finger of Fate 35 Having to hold on by one's eyebrows whenever one moves gets a bit monotonous after a time. 4. To maintain a course of action or movement; to keep on, continue, go on (rarely reflexive). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)] to hold a wayOE to hold forthc1200 to hold ona1225 reignc1300 lasta1325 continuea1340 to continue doing or to doc1384 pursuea1425 perseverec1425 to hold one's wayc1480 prosecute1528 to go on1533 to run on1533 keep1548 to follow on1560 insist1586 to keep on1589 to carry on1832 to carry on1857 string1869 a1225 Leg. Kath. 434 He heold on to herien his heaðene maumez. 1405 Bidding Prayer ii, in Lay Folks Mass Bk. 65 For thaim that first began and langest haldis on. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. iii. 41 Now haldis on. 1630 R. Sanderson Serm. II. 264 If we hold on as we do, in pampering every man his own flesh. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 633 But still I see the tenor of Mans woe Holds on the same. View more context for this quotation 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 18 The Gale held still. a1822 P. B. Shelley There is no Work 7 O Man! hold thee on in courage of soul. 1889 J. A. Froude Two Chiefs Dunboy xv. 218 He held on till they were less than a mile apart. 5. imperative. Stop! wait! (colloquial) Cf. 27, to hold hard at Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it! > stop! or take no action! stop1570 not so fasta1593 hold your horses!1843 to hold on1846 hold it!1926 hold everything!1930 1846 C. M. Kirkland Western Clearings (new ed.) 45 ‘But hold on a little till I tell ye!’ interposed Master George. 1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) ‘Hold on a minute’, originally a sea phrase. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Hold on a minute, wait or stop. 1883 Bread-Winners 62 ‘Hold on’, he burst out; ‘Don't talk to me that way..I can't stand it’. 6. In shooting: see 28. 7. Telephony. To keep the line open. ΘΚΠ society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate by telephone [verb (intransitive)] > keep connection to hold on1892 to hold the line1912 to hang on1936 1892 R. Kipling in Times 29 Nov. 8/1 A..millionnaire,..clawing wildly at the telephone..‘Hello!..I told you to hold on. What?..No. Hold on.’ 1919 V. Woolf Night & Day xxiv. 327 ‘I'll look at my engagements... Hold on.’ She dropped the machine. 1920 Punch 1 Sept. 176/3 ‘What is your number, please?’..‘Just hold on a minute while I look it up.’ 1920 R. Macaulay Potterism iii. i. 104 You mustn't ring off yet... Hold on while I tell daddy. 1949 J. B. Priestley Home is Tomorrow 38 (into telephone) Yes, I'll hold on. 1971 ‘A. Cross’ Theban Myst. (1972) xi. 165 She did go to the phone, but she got the doctor's exchange, which said, ‘Hold on,’ and then went off the line. to hold out 1. transitive. To stretch forth, extend (the hand or other limb, or something held in the hand). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body > in some direction, purposefully to put forthc1300 thrustc1374 to put outa1382 proferc1400 outstretcha1425 to hold out1535 outhold1550 push1581 intend1601 stick1607 protrude1638 poke1700 blurt1818 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Esther iv. B Excepte the kynge holde out the golden cepter vnto him. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. i. 6 I dare not fight, but I will winke and hold out mine Iron. 1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xliv. 156 We want a cavalier, said she, holding out both her hands, as if to offer them. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) v. 36 ‘Hold out your hand, sir!’ Down came the stump with a great heavy thump on the child's hand. 1879 J. McCarthy Donna Quixote xxxii Throwing away the pitiful olive-branch of peace he had been pretending to hold out. †2. To exhibit; to hold up (to hold up 3 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > expose to public view [verb (transitive)] to put forth?c1225 to hit out1579 to set a-sunshining1601 to put forward1611 to hold out1613 expose1623 theatrizea1679 produce1686 parade1765 to bring forward1783 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 160 They hold out to us the light of Scripture, themselves walking in darknesse. 1799 J. West Tale of Times III. 131 She felt the cruelty of thus holding her out to general ridicule. 3. figurative. To offer, proffer, present. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)] i-bedea800 bidOE make?a1160 forthc1200 bihedec1275 proffera1325 yielda1382 dressc1384 to serve fortha1393 dight1393 pretend1398 nurnc1400 offerc1425 profita1450 tent1459 tend1475 exhibit1490 propine1512 presentc1515 oblate1548 pretence1548 defer?1551 to hold forth1560 prefer1567 delatea1575 to give forth1584 tender1587 oppose1598 to hold out1611 shore1787 1611 B. Jonson Catiline i. sig. C3 Fortune holds out these to you, as rewards. View more context for this quotation 1796 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 77 The French..held out language promissory of equitable conditions. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 615 Hopes were held out to him that his life would be spared. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 46 The inducement held out was the wonderful profits to be won. 4. To represent. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > owning > own [verb (transitive)] > own jointly or communally > represent oneself as a partner to hold out1829 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > pretend, dissemble [verb (reflexive)] feign1297 abuse?a1439 counterfeit1610 personate1710 to pass off1770 to hold out1829 to work off1894 1829 J. Parke in R. V. Barnewall & C. Cresswell Rep. Cases King's Bench X. 140 The defendant had held himself out to be a partner..to the plaintiff. 1878 N. Lindley Partnership (ed. 4) i. i. §2. 49 A person may hold himself out or permit himself to be held out as a partner, and yet conceal his name. 5. To keep out, exclude. Now rare. In Cards: see hold-out n. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > be on the outside of [verb (transitive)] > keep or shut out loukc1275 speara1300 beshutc1330 forbarc1330 warn?a1366 to close outa1382 to shut outc1384 steeka1393 again-louka1400 to keep outc1425 outshutc1450 seclude1498 to stop outc1530 to hedge out1549 confine1577 to hold out1583 out-bar1590 debar1593 excommunicate1602 expel1604 immurec1616 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F3^v Almost none of their leather will holde out water. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 109 Stonie limits cannot hold loue out . View more context for this quotation 1628 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 43 As an enemy holden out at the posts of our city. 1890 Ld. Lytton Ring of Amasis vii. 147 He got [the boat] afloat, and found that it would hold out the water. 1894 J. N. Maskelyne ‘Sharps & Flats’ v. 73 The term ‘Holdout’ is the name given to a mechanical contrivance, constructed with the object of enabling the card-sharper to ‘hold-out’, or conceal one or more cards, until he finds that they will be useful to him. 6. To keep up, continue or maintain to the end. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] i-haldOE to hold fortha1325 sustainc1325 containc1330 continuea1340 maintainc1385 carrya1393 keepc1425 to keep upa1535 to stick by ——1551 to hold on1568 to hold out1595 to carry on1609 subsist1633 to keep at ——1825 1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. vi. 24 No waie to flie, no strength to hold our flight. 1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angrie Women of Abington sig. H^v Tis not time of night to hold out chat, With such a scold as thou art. 1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. 493 Stiffer in holding out a rebellion. 1893 Field 11 Mar. 354/3 The way he holds his stroke out is very good. †7. To bear or sustain to the end. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)] > resist > maintain resistance against to stand before ——OE bearOE tholec1175 sustainc1330 last1340 suffera1387 support1483 outstand1571 hold1592 to hold outa1616 ridea1649 brunt1800 to stand up to1921 a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 157 Now happy he, whose cloake and center can Hold out this tempest. View more context for this quotation 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough II. 456 The Place was ill-provided to hold out a Siege. 1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. II. 211. 8. To occupy or defend to the end (against an adversary). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defence > holding out or making stand > hold out or make stand [verb (intransitive)] standOE hold1154 to maintain one's owna1375 to hold or keep (one's) stalec1450 subsist1588 to hold out1769 1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. 13 He had..conceived a resolution of holding out the town. 1826 W. Scott Woodstock I. ii. 34 I will hold out the old house, and it will not be the first time I have held it against ten times the strength. 1879 C. M. Yonge Cameos cliii, in Monthly Packet Feb. 110 The burghers..who had held out the city were put to death. 9. With object clause: To maintain. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)] haveOE werea1300 maintainc1350 confirmc1380 sustainc1430 defendc1475 to hold in hand1530 uphold1530 soothea1556 dispute1610 sticklea1661 to hold out1847 claim1864 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiii. 105 Holding out that the lady was a Duchess. 10. intransitive. To maintain resistance, remain unsubdued; to continue, endure, persist, last. (Also formerly †to hold it out in same sense.) ΘΚΠ the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > endure, remain, persist, or continue bidec893 lastOE through-wonOE ylasta1000 standOE runOE lastlOE beleavec1200 abidec1275 cleavec1275 durec1275 dwell13.. endurec1386 perseverec1390 continuec1400 contunec1400 tarrya1450 remainc1455 perdure?a1475 rest1474 permanec1485 succeed1486 perpetuate1530 persist1531 demur1547 perduratea1558 weara1568 to hold it out1585 to hold out1585 abye1590 contain1592 live1592 perennate1623 to draw overa1700 exist1754 linger1764 to hang it out1939 the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > resist resolutely i-standOE atstand?c1225 to hold out rubbers1573 to stand out1574 to hold out1585 stay1593 to stand one's ground1600 to stick out1677 to stand brush1794 the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)] > resist > maintain resistance to hold out1585 to bear upa1616 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 23 In despaire of succour, and not able to holde out any longer. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. i. 30 All Kent hath yeelded: nothing there holds out But Douer Castle. View more context for this quotation 1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Rochester (1692) 150 He was not able to hold out long in discourse. 1707 I. Watts Hymns i. lxxxviii. i And while the lamp holds out to burn The vilest sinner may return. a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) iv. 307 Babylon held out, and the next year was taken. 1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross IV. 32 Miss Wansbro is so robust, she holds out to dance with all who ask her. 1802 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 8 212 Her constitution, shattered by the frequent attacks it endured, could not long hold out. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 234 By no art could the provisions..be made to hold out two days more. 1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iv. ii. 123 Well sed brazen face, hold it out.1713 J. Addison Cato ii. iii We ought to hold it out 'till terms arrive.1764 Garrick in G. Colman Posthumous Lett. (1820) 253 I cannot hold it out so long. †11. To preach: = to hold forth at Phrasal verbs (to hold forth 4 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > speech-making > make a speech [verb (intransitive)] > discourse or lecture carpa1375 movec1400 descant1536 discourse1547 lecturea1592 homilize1624 dissert1657 lecturize1661 pronounce1663 to hold forth1668 to hold out1689 sermonize1753 dissertate1766 1689 A. Wood Life 28 Feb. III. 299 His old dancing school..they have made a preaching place. Mr. Cornish holds out. 12. To keep back; to retain or detain; (also const. on) to withhold (information or the like). colloquial (originally U.S.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep what is due to or desired by another ofholdOE withholdc1200 abstaina1387 keep?1463 to hold up?1499 refrain?1504 outhold1512 detainc1535 to keep back1535 subtracta1538 substract1542 to hold out1907 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > escape observation [verb (intransitive)] > keep silent about, not mention swiec900 heelOE to hold out1907 to dummy up1926 1907 E. S. Field Six-cylinder Courtship 71 If it wasn't for Bellows and Rooker, we'd hold out on him every time. 1911 H. S. Harrison Queed v. 57 Surface, by clever juggling of his books had managed to ‘hold out’ a large sum of money in the enforced settlement of his affairs. 1916 H. L. Wilson Somewhere in Red Gap viii. 345 I wanted to send a postal card to the..Dye Works at Red Gap, for some stuff they had been holding out on me a month. 1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean i. 13 He dumped his wages upon the sitting-room table, holding out only the price of a new pair of shoes. 1926 J. Black You can't Win ix. 112 The thief who holds out a lady's watch on his pal to give to his girl has no character. 1932 P. G. Wodehouse Hot Water i. 21 And me who had split Even Stephen with her on every deal, never chiselling, never holding out on her, no, not so much as a dime. 1944 L. A. G. Strong All fall Down 99 The thought came to me that maybe the old cuss was just holding out on me. 1945 J. B. Priestley Three Men in New Suits v. 88 ‘Boss,’ said Markinch, who liked to be American too, ‘he's holding out on us.’ 1972 ‘G. Black’ Bitter Tea (1973) v. 81 If I find out that you've been holding out on me over this identification, I'll come down on you like a pile driver. to hold over 1. intransitive (Law) To remain in occupation or in office beyond the regular term. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of property [verb (intransitive)] > hold beyond regular term to hold over1647 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 201 If the Lord faile, he loses his tenure, and the tenant might thence forth disclaime, and hold over for ever. 1880 A. Brown New Law Dict. (ed. 2) Holding over, this is the phrase commonly used to denote that a tenant remains in possession of lands or houses after the determination of his term therein. 2. transitive. To retain or reserve till a later time; to keep for future consideration or action; to postpone. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] forslowc888 eldc897 forsita940 gele971 lengOE drilla1300 delayc1300 onfrestc1300 tarryc1320 jornc1330 dretchc1380 defer1382 forbida1387 to put offa1387 to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393 dilate1399 fordrawa1400 to put overc1410 latch?c1422 adjournc1425 prolongc1425 proloynec1425 rejournc1425 to put in respite1428 sleuthc1430 respitea1450 prorogue1453 refer1466 sleep1470 supersede1482 respectc1487 postpone1496 overseta1500 respett1500 enjourna1513 relong1523 retract1524 tarde1524 track1524 to fode forth1525 tract1527 protract1528 further1529 to make stay of1530 surcease1530 prorogate1534 to fay upon longc1540 linger1543 retard?1543 slake1544 procrastine1548 reprieve1548 remit1550 suspense1556 leave1559 shiftc1562 suspend1566 procrastinate1569 dally1574 post1577 to hold off1580 drift1584 loiter1589 postpose1598 to take one's (own) timea1602 flag1602 slug1605 elong1610 belay1613 demur1613 tardya1616 to hang up1623 frist1637 disjourn1642 future1642 off1642 waive1653 superannuate1655 perendinate1656 stave1664 detard1675 remora1686 to put back1718 withhold1726 protract1737 to keep over1847 to hold over1853 laten1860 to lay over1885 hold1891 back-burner1975 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxviii. 278 I will hold the matter over with him for any reasonable time. 1861 Temple Bar 3 321 Comes down a telegraphic message to us to hold over all our warrants against him. 1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. vii. 63 You needn't be afraid of my disposing of you. I'll hold you over. That's a promise. 1885 Manch. Examiner 8 July 5/1 The Sixpenny Telegrams Bill is to be held over till next year. 1891 Illustr. London News 10 Jan. 54/1 Not to sell any sealskins..but to hold them over till next winter. 3. U.S. colloquial. (See quot. 1889¹.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > have or get (someone) at a disadvantage to have at avail1470 to catch, have, hold, take (one) at (a or the) vantagec1510 to gain of1548 to be to the forehand with1558 to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch1591 to get the sun of1598 to have (also get) a good hand against1600 to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612 to weather on or upon1707 to have the laugh on a person1767 to have a (or the) pull of (also over, on)1781 to get to windward of1783 to have the bulge on1841 to give points to1854 to get (have) the drop on1869 to hold over1872 to have an (or the) edge on1896 to get (also have) the goods on1903 to get (or have) the jump on1912 to have (got) by the balls1918 1872 ‘M. Twain’ Innocents at Home 18 (Farmer) You ruther hold over me, pard. I reckon I can't call that hand. 1889 J. S. Farmer Americanisms To hold over one is to have an advantage in some way or other. This particular usage probably comes from poker phraseology. 1889 K. Munroe Golden Days of ’49 xii. 127 Do we hold over Bowers? to hold together 1. transitive. To keep together, retain in union or connection. literal and figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > join (together) [verb (transitive)] > join closely, intimately, or permanently > cause to cohere belimeOE to hold togethera1225 glue13.. cement1340 conglutinate1546 agglutinate1586 solder1601 coagment1603 glutinate1604 coagmentate1615 concement1628 to stick together1634 a1225 Leg. Kath. 2268 Porphire & alle hise heolden ham togederes. 1573 J. Sanford tr. L. Guicciardini Hours Recreat. Ep. Ded. (1576) A vij b Her Grace, who is the best knot in this Garden, that holdeth Englishmen together. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 433 Two men..held the ends together. 1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 687 The sacred band That holds mankind together. 1850 C. Lyell 2nd Visit U.S. (ed. 2) II. 171 The roots also of trees..were very effective formerly in holding the soil together. 2. intransitive. To continue in union or connection; to remain entire; to cohere. literal and figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > be or become joined together [verb (intransitive)] > be or become closely, intimately, or permanently joined > cohere to hold togetherc1330 to hang togetherc1400 gluec1420 to stick together1535 cohere1616 cement1660 c1330 Amis & Amil. 151 That thai schuld frely fond, To hold togider at eueri nede. 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 55 Husbondrie and he holden to-gedere. 1533 J. Heywood Mery Play Iohan Iohan sig. B.iv The payle..is so rotten and olde That it wyll not skant together holde. 1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 494 It was then commonly reported that if they hung him, his body would not hold together because of its rottenness. 1861 Temple Bar 3 509 There was hope that the ship would hold together. to hold up 1. transitive. To keep raised or erect, keep from falling, support, sustain. ( to hold up one's head: see 30b.) ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] to bear upeOE underbearc950 bearOE holdc1000 weighc1200 to hold up1297 upholda1300 sustainc1330 undersetc1330 comforta1382 underbear1382 upbear1390 sustaina1398 upkeepc1412 carrya1425 supporta1425 chargea1500 convey1514 avoke1529 confirm1542 stay1548 to carry up1570 bolster1581 lift1590 upstay1590 atlas1593 sustent1605 statuminatea1628 firm1646 appui1656 establish1664 shoulder1674 to keep up1681 upheave1729 withhold1769 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 455 Ȝour ryȝt honden holdeþ vp to God..And byhoteþ hym to be stable. 1455 E. Clere in Four C. Eng. Lett. 5 Then he hild up his hands and thankid God therof. 1558 B. Traheron Answ. Priv. Papiste sig. Biii I yeld vnto you this noble victorie, & hold vp my handes. 1647 J. Cleveland Poems in Char. London-diurnall (Wing C4662) 43 Who name but Charles, hee comes aloft for him, But holds up his Malignant leg at Pym. 1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) ii. 157 Four great Pillars of Iasper..hold vp the back of this Altar. 1854 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 15 i. 49 The river..is held up in levels by 34 locks. 1894 Daily News 26 May 2/5 Four men..ordering the President..and the clerks to hold up their hands under threats of death, seized a sum of 2,500 dollars. 2. figurative. To support, sustain, maintain, keep up. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve in existence or maintain at-holdc1220 to hold upc1290 maintaina1325 sustainc1390 sustent?a1425 preserve1427 sustentate1542 c1290 Beket 229 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 113 Swyþe wel bi-gan þis Ercedekne holi churche bi-lede, And stifliche heold op hire riȝte. 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 6 To holde vp & meyntene þe poyntes. ?1465 J. Wymondham in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 313 How þat euer ye do, hold vp your manship. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 240 Winke each at other, holde the sweeete ieast vp. View more context for this quotation 1667 S. Pepys Diary 28 Jan. (1974) VIII. 35 He tells me gold holds up its price still. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 147 Austria, whose arms alone held up the petty despots. 3. To offer or present to notice; to exhibit, display; to present in a particular aspect; to put up as a candidate (quot. 1813). ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)] i-taechec888 to lay … beforec1000 showlOE givec1175 to lay outc1440 produce1459 propose1548 cite1549 product1563 broach1573 offer1583 to hold up1604 to bring in1608 project1611 to bring ona1715 to trot out1838 to bring up1868 muster1904 society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > choose for office [verb (transitive)] > propose as candidate purposea1382 nominate1560 propound1573 to put up1573 propose1675 run1765 to hold up1813 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 22 To holde as twere the Mirrour vp to nature. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 556 What colour for my Visitation, shall I Hold vp before him? View more context for this quotation 1808 E. Inchbald in Brit. Theatre XIV. 4 To hold up to detestation vices, now no longer to be tolerated. 1813 W. Irving in Life & Lett. (1864) I. 293 William was held up for Congress, and..lost his election. 1860 Temple Bar 1 30 Bacon..has been held up to opprobrium. 1892 Sat. Rev. 30 Apr. 497/1 [He] held up the Government..to hatred and contempt. 4. To let alone, resign, give up (quot. a1529 for to hold on 1 at Phrasal verbs); to keep back, withhold; in Cards, to keep in one's hand, refrain from playing. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] forsakec893 forlet971 to reach upOE agiveOE yield?c1225 uptake1297 up-yield1297 yield1297 deliverc1300 to-yielda1375 overgivec1384 grant1390 forbeara1400 livera1400 forgoc1400 upgive1415 permit1429 quit1429 renderc1436 relinquish1479 abandonc1485 to hold up?1499 enlibertyc1500 surrender1509 cess1523 relent1528 to cast up?1529 resignate1531 uprender1551 demit1563 disclaim1567 to fling up1587 to give up1589 quittance1592 vail1593 enfeoff1598 revoke1599 to give off1613 disownc1620 succumb1632 abdicate1633 delinquish1645 discount1648 to pass away1650 to turn off1667 choke1747 to jack up1870 chuck up (the sponge)1878 chuckc1879 unget1893 sling1902 to jack in1948 punt1966 to-leave- the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > keep what is due to or desired by another ofholdOE withholdc1200 abstaina1387 keep?1463 to hold up?1499 refrain?1504 outhold1512 detainc1535 to keep back1535 subtracta1538 substract1542 to hold out1907 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play a card [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics to hold up?1499 decardc1555 to turn up1580 discard1591 pulla1625 to sit out1659 face1674 to make out1680 to lay out1687 to throw away1707 lead1739 weaken1742 carry1744 to take in1744 force1746 to show down1768 throw1866 blank1884 block1884 cover1885 unblock1885 pitch1890 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play at cards [verb (intransitive)] > actions or tactics pass1599 pluck1606 pulla1625 to play high1640 to follow suit1643 to play at forsat1674 lead1677 overdrawc1805 stand1813 retract1823 underplay1850 to hold up1879 to throw in one's hand1893 build1901 build-down1983 ?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Avi^v Holde vp the helme loke vp & lete god stere. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Esdras v. 72 The Heithen in the londe..helde vp the buyldinge from them. 1807 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 70 We..hold it up until we know the result of the instructions of February the 3rd. 1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 111 You may make a trump by holding up. 1879 ‘Cavendish’ Card Ess. 198 Prone to hold up ace, knave. 1894 14th Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 70 When..a cow holds up her milk there is some disturbing element. 5. (U.S.) To stop by force and rob on the highway. (From the robbers' practice of commanding their victims to hold up their hands on pain of being shot; = Australian to stick up.) Also, to arrest the progress of, obstruct the passage of (literal and figurative). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > cause to be arrested or intercepted in progress warna1250 foreclosec1290 dit1362 stayc1440 stopc1440 set1525 suppress1547 bar1578 frontier1589 stay1591 intercepta1599 to cut off1600 interpose1615 lodgea1616 obstruct1621 stifle1629 sufflaminate1656 stick1824 to hold up1887 the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > hinder or delay bestayc1330 tarry1340 delaya1393 to put aback1450 to pull backa1470 retard1490 tarde1524 retary1526 to throw back1562 forslow1570 backward1594 detain1600 to set back1600 slug1605 retardate1613 tardya1616 taigle?1635 backen1649 remore1652 remorate1657 to cast back1671 to hold up1887 to knock back1945 the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > rob [verb (transitive)] > hold up to stick up1838 to hold up1887 1887 A. A. Hayes Jesuit's Ring 228 Any man could hold up a wagon. 1894 Times 22 Oct. 5/4 At noon yesterday four unmasked men ‘held up’ a Texas Pacific train near that place. 1904 Philadelphia Evening Telegr. 15 Nov. 1 Out of the 900 steerage passengers that came over on the Merion, 135 failed to pass the immigration inspectors, and were held up. 1905 N.Y. Evening Post 16 Mar. 1 Another landslide has occurred..and nine passenger trains are held up in the mountains. 1906 N.Y. Herald 5 Mar. 5 It is thought the Senate Finance Committee will seek to devise new excuses for holding up the investigation of the State Banking Department, which it has succeeded in smothering for five weeks. 1909 H. N. Casson C. H. McCormick: Life & Work 146 One bill for £15 was held up for a week because it was not properly drawn. 1972 Daily Hampshire Gaz. (Northampton, Mass.) 9 May 1/3 A passing motorist asked Witkos if he was ‘going to let them hold up the traffic all day?’ 6. intransitive (for reflexive). To keep up, not to fall: usually addressed to a horse. ΘΚΠ society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > incite a horse by shouting or making a noise to stand up1656 chuck1824 to call on ——1832 to hold up1860 1860 G. J. Whyte-Melville Holmby House xviii. 266 ‘Hold up!’ exclaimed Humphrey, as the sorrel cleared a high wall, with a drop into a sandy lane. 1890 A. Conan Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxxiii. 264 ‘Hold up, will ye!’ The last remark was addressed to the horse, which had stumbled. 7. To maintain one's position or state; to endure, hold out; in Hunting, to keep up the pace. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue bidec893 ofstandeOE astandc1000 restOE holdc1175 dure1297 akeepc1300 lastc1300 arrest1393 containc1400 perseverec1425 reserve1529 to run on1533 to stick by ——1533 persist1538 persist1539 to hold up1582 retaina1631 persist1659 the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (intransitive)] > keep up the pace to hold up1892 1582 in Bible (Rheims) Acts iv. (annot.) Let no Catholike man be scandalized that this heresie holdeth vp for a time. a1694 J. Tillotson Wks. (1820) I. 457 Some few stout and obstinate minds, which, without the assistance of philosophy, could have held up pretty well of themselves. 1708 S. Ockley Conquest of Syria 270 The Saracens..made Shift to hold up till Night parted them. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 89 ‘O pray God that he hold up’ she thought ‘Or surely I shall shame myself and him’. 1888 Mrs. Notley Power of Hand I. xii. 144 If this wind holds up..we shall catch the coast..in six hours. 1892 Field 23 July 124/1 Having arrived at the starting point..Prince is told to ‘hold up’—an order which he obeys with alacrity. 8. To give in, submit, surrender (obsolete); to check oneself, refrain, ‘pull up’ (U.S. colloquial). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] to let bec1000 fastOE withdraw1297 letc1374 forbearc1375 abstaina1382 sparec1386 respitea1393 to let alonea1400 refraina1402 supersede1449 deport1477 to hold one's handa1500 spare1508 surcease1542 detract1548 to hold back1576 hold1589 to stand by1590 to hold up1596 suspend1598 stickle1684 to hold off1861 to bottle it1988 the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > be irresolute or vacillate [verb (intransitive)] > give way or give in benda1400 sink?a1513 to give over1530 to cry creak?1562 yield1576 to hold up1596 succumb1604 to give in1616 to hoist, lower, strike the topsaila1629 to cry cravena1634 to give up or cross the cudgels1654 incumb1656 to fall in1667 to knock under1670 to knock under board, under (the) table1692 to strike underc1730 knuckle down1735 to throw (also chuck) up the sponge1860 chuck up (the sponge)1864 to throw in one's hand1893 to sky the wipe (or towel)1907 to drop one's bundle1915 to throw (chuck, or toss) in the towel1915 to buckle up1927 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 195 How lang thair lyfe was in, tha neuer held vp. 1843 M. F. Maury in D. F. M. Corbin Life M. F. Maury (1888) 46 The doctor said I was destroying myself with over-much head-work, and..I have had to hold up somewhat. 1879 W. D. Howells Lady of Aroostook (1882) I. xii. 170 I see your difficulty plainly enough, and I think you're quite right in proposing to hold up. 9. To keep from raining (when there is a threatening of rain); rarely, to cease raining, clear up. (Said of the weather, the day; also of the rain.) ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > remain fine to hold up1601 hold1893 1601 J. Deacon & J. Walker Dialogicall Disc. Spirits & Diuels 213 They may then cause it to hold vp, when it should raine, and to raine, when it should hold vp. 1700 S. Sewall Diary 17 May (1973) I. 431 It rains hard. Holds up about 5 p.m. a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) I. xi. 184 Perhaps..it [sc. the weather] may hold up . View more context for this quotation 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxiv. 302 Jack, my boy, go out and see if the evening holds up. 1891 Field 21 Nov. 791/2 The day held up wonderfully, in spite of lowering clouds. Draft additions June 2017 transitive. Tennis. To win (one's service game). Frequently in to hold (one's) serve. Also intransitive. ΚΠ 1920 W. T. Tilden Art of Lawn Tennis vi. 53 By dropping that game, the score will go 2–3 and 3-all if your opponent holds service. 1921 Amer. Lawn Tennis 15 Sept. 408/3 After many deuces, Tilden managed to hold his serve, and then broke through Johnston's. 1931 Amer. Lawn Tennis 5 Aug. 24/3 Doeg held serve for 3—5, but Vines..settled down and ran out the match at 6—3 for a well earned victory. 1936 E. C. Potter Kings of Court vi. 99 If Brookes had been able to hold his service..it might have gone for a straight-set win. 1954 B. Wilkinson Last Clear Chance v. 51 So the games went, myself holding serve with difficulty but still holding, until four-all. 1998 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 16 May e3/1 Chang struggled to hold service and repeatedly came up short on rallies from the baseline. 2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 10 July Both players struggled on their own serve in the second set, but Reid finally held to go 5-4 up. Draft additions September 2008 colloquial. to hold all the cards: to have the advantage; to have the upper hand.Often as part of an extended metaphor; see quot. 1840. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > have grounds for expecting success to have or go in upon good cards1554 to have or go in upon good cards1606 to hold all the cards1840 1840 C. Dickens Master Humphrey's Clock I. 138 Let me..play a fairer game than when you held all the cards, and I saw but the backs and nothing more. 1896 Davenport (Iowa) Daily Leader 29 Apr. 2/1 Kruger holds all the cards in that South African squabble. 1922 J. A. Dunn Girl of Ghost Mountain xvi. 241 They hold all the cards. They can afford to wait. 2002 Daily Mirror 31 May 45/4 If a certain someone now holds all the cards and is calling all the shots, you may feel a teeny bit resentful. Draft additions January 2010 to hold (a person or thing) responsible: to regard (a person or thing) as accountable, answerable, or culpable; to consider (a person or thing) as the cause or catalyst. Frequently with for. Also reflexive. Cf. responsible adj. 3. ΚΠ 1665 E. Waterhouse Gentlemans Monitor Introd. 1 Nor ought I to hold my self much responsible to Mine own Family. 1737 O. Sedgewick World turn'd Inside-out vii. 103 I should hold myself responsible for all the Inconveniences the Person I made the Promise to. 1795 R. Cumberland Henry III. iii. 23 A lady under his protection, and for whose redress he holds himself responsible. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 364 For their absence the king was held responsible. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §5. 385 Each town and parish was held responsible for the relief of its indigent and disabled poor. 1955 ‘P. Dennis’ Auntie Mame viii. 189 I cannot be held responsible for the sexual preferences of my associates. 2002 Observer 21 Apr. (Drugs Uncovered Suppl.) 62/1 Blue Mystic or 2C-T-7..found underground notoriety on the US dance scene, and been held responsible for a number of teen deaths. Draft additions September 2018 to hold away intransitive. To keep away, stay away; to keep at a distance from something or someone. Also figurative. See also hadaway int.Chiefly Scottish until late 19th cent. ΚΠ 1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iv. i. sig. G Gentlew. Here's some few Angels for your Lordship... Gond. Keepe off. Gentlew. A small gratuit for your kindnesse. Gond. Hold away. ?1701 3 Excellent New Songs (single sheet) Had awa', bide awa', Had awa' frae me, Donald; I'll neither kiss nor hae a ring, Nae tartan plaids for me, Donald. 1785 R. Forbes tr. Ovid in Select Coll. Poems Buchan Dial. 24 They had awa' frae you; they ken Ye're but an useless folp. 1867 Argosy July 82 ‘Haud awa' frae that basket, ye wuddyfous’..he cried, darting towards the hamper he had left in the entry. 1899 K. Chopin Awakening x. 68 Of late he had sometimes held away from her for an entire day, redoubling his devotion upon the next..as though to make up for hours that had been lost. 1919 Harper's Mag. Dec. 38/1 Why, she had held away from the things one most wants from life just to keep from knowing what she was knowing now. 1944 N.Y. Times 26 Jan. 5/3 Of all the twenty-one American republics Argentina alone has held away from the Allied camp. 2001 J. M. Vesely Shadows on Land 343 They often went for long walks together, or fished the riverbanks for big catfish that held away from the current, suspended in the deep undercuts or among the submerged limbs of deadfallen trees. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > see also also refers to : † holdeholdadv. < n.¹1042n.²1591n.³c910n.⁴c1000n.⁵13..adj.c893v.a855 see also
随便看	tower of london tower of silence tower of strength tower pound tower shilling tower silo tower skull tower weight tower-backed tower-ball tower-bearing tower-bell tower-capped tower-clock tower-cress tower-crested tower-crowned tower-distillatory tower-dwelling tower-encircled tower-fellow tower-fellowship tower-flanked tower-full tower-furnace

holdn.1

Phrases

holdn.2

Compounds

holdn.3

† holdn.4

† holdn.5

† holdadj.

holdv.

Phrasal verbs

Draft additions June 2017

Draft additions September 2008

Draft additions January 2010

Draft additions September 2018

> see also

holdn.¹

holdn.²

holdn.³

† holdn.⁴

† holdn.⁵