What is "to hold to"

Hold \Hold\, v. i. In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:

1. Not to move; to halt; to stop; -- mostly in the imperative.

   And damned be him that first cries, ``Hold, enough!''
   --Shak.

2. Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

   Our force by land hath nobly held.
   --Shak.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. To restrain one's self; to refrain.

   His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping, but his eyes rebelled.
   --Dryden.

6. 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.

   1. To support one's self; to remain unbent or unbroken; as, to hold up under misfortunes.

   2. To cease raining; to cease to stop; as, it holds up.
      --Hudibras.

   3. To keep up; not to fall behind; not to lose ground.
      --Collier.