The Collaborative International Dictionary
Hold \Hold\, v. i. In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:
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Not to move; to halt; to stop; -- mostly in the imperative.
And damned be him that first cries, ``Hold, enough!''
--Shak. -
Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Our force by land hath nobly held.
--Shak. -
Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.
While our obedience holds.
--Milton.The rule holds in land as all other commodities.
--Locke. -
Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; -- often with with, to, or for.
He will hold to the one and despise the other.
--Matt. vi. 24 -
To restrain one's self; to refrain.
His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping, but his eyes rebelled.
--Dryden. -
To derive right or title; -- generally with of. My crown is absolute, and holds of none. --Dryden. His imagination holds immediately from nature. --Hazlitt. Hold on! Hold up! wait; stop; forbear. [Collog] -- To hold forth, to speak in public; to harangue; to preach. --L'Estrange. To hold in, to restrain one's self; as, he wanted to laugh and could hardly hold in. To hold off, to keep at a distance. To hold on, to keep fast hold; to continue; to go on. ``The trade held on for many years,'' --Swift. To hold out, to last; to endure; to continue; to maintain one's self; not to yield or give way. To hold over, to remain in office, possession, etc., beyond a certain date. To hold to or To hold with, to take sides with, as a person or opinion. To hold together, to be joined; not to separate; to remain in union. --Dryden. --Locke. To hold up.
To support one's self; to remain unbent or unbroken; as, to hold up under misfortunes.
To cease raining; to cease to stop; as, it holds up.
--Hudibras.To keep up; not to fall behind; not to lose ground.
--Collier.