hold
     n 1: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he
          has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold
          on the railing" [syn: {clasp}, {clench}, {clutch}, {clutches},
           {grasp}, {grip}]
     2: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or
        magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting
        practices" [syn: {appreciation}, {grasp}]
     3: power by which something or someone is affected or
        dominated; "he has a hold over them"
     4: time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay
        caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the
        action" [syn: {delay}, {time lag}, {postponement}, {wait}]
     5: a state of being confined (usually for a short time); "his
        detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is on
        hold"; "he is in the custody of police" [syn: {detention},
         {custody}]
     6: a stronghold
     7: a cell in a jail or prison [syn: {keep}]
     8: the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in
        order to use or move it; "he grabbed the hammer by the
        handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good
        grip" [syn: {handle}, {grip}, {handgrip}]
     9: the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo [syn: {cargo
        area}, {cargo deck}, {cargo hold}, {storage area}]
     v 1: organize or be responsible for; "hold a reception"; "have,
          throw, or make a party"; "give a course" [syn: {throw},
          {have}, {make}, {give}]
     2: keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep
        clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a
        lady"; "The students keep me on my toes" [syn: {keep}, {maintain}]
     3: have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a
        moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of him" [syn: {take
        hold}] [ant: {let go of}]
     4: to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
        "This holds the local until the express passengers change
        trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the
        stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a
        detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists
        for ransom" [syn: {restrain}, {confine}]
     5: have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears
        the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for
        almost a decade" [syn: {bear}]
     6: have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;
        "She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful
        daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"
        [syn: {have}, {have got}]
     7: keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view; "take for
        granted"; "view as important"; "hold these truths to be
        self-evident"; "I hold him personally responsible" [syn: {deem},
         {view as}, {take for}]
     8: contain or hold; have within; "The jar carries wine"; "The
        canteen holds fresh water"; "This can contains water"
        [syn: {bear}, {carry}, {contain}]
     9: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
        keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold
        your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
        [syn: {control}, {hold in}, {contain}, {check}, {curb}, {moderate}]
     10: remain in a certain state, position, or condition; "The
         weather held"; "They held on the road and kept marching"
     11: maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings); "bear a grudge";
         "entertain interesting notions"; "harbor a resentment"
         [syn: {harbor}, {harbour}, {entertain}, {nurse}]
     12: assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people
         are inherently good"
     13: remain committed to; "I hold to these ideas"
     14: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The
         landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the
         right to disagree" [syn: {retain}, {keep back}, {hold
         back}]
     15: be the physical support of; carry the weight of; "The beam
         holds up the roof"; "He supported me with one hand while
         I balanced on the beam"; "What's holding that mirror?"
         [syn: {support}, {sustain}, {hold up}]
     16: hold the attention of; "The soprano held the audience";
         "This story held our interest"; "She can hold an audience
         spellbound"
     17: keep from exhaling or expelling; "hold your breath"
     18: support or hold in a certain manner; "She holds her head
         high"; "He carried himself upright" [syn: {carry}, {bear}]
     19: have room for; hold without crowding; "This hotel can
         accommodate 250 guests"; "The theater admits 300 people";
         "The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people" [syn: {accommodate},
          {admit}]
     20: be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take
         all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon" [syn: {contain},
          {take}]
     21: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
         [syn: {prevail}, {obtain}]
     22: take and maintain control over, often by violent means; "The
         dissatisfied students held the President's office for
         almost a week"
     23: protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position
         behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's
         attacks" [syn: {defend}, {guard}]
     24: declare to be; "She was declared incompetent"; "judge held
         that the defendant was innocent" [syn: {declare}, {adjudge}]
     25: have as a major characteristic; "The novel holds many
         surprises"; "The book holds in store much valuable
         advise"
     26: cause to stop; "Halt the engines"; "Arrest the progress";
         "halt the presses" [syn: {halt}, {arrest}]
     27: bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; "He's held by a
         contract"; "I'll hold you by your promise" [syn: {oblige},
          {bind}, {obligate}]
     28: cover as for protection against noise or smell; "She held
         her ears when the jackhammer started to operate"; "hold
         one's nose"
     29: drink alcohol without showing ill effects; "He can hold his
         liquor"; "he had drunk more than he could carry" [syn: {carry}]
     30: be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply
         to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers";
         "The same rules go for everyone" [syn: {apply}, {go for}]
     31: arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in
         advance; "reserve me a seat on a flight"; "The agent
         booked tickets to the show for the whole family"; "please
         hold a table at Maxim's" [syn: {reserve}, {book}]
     32: resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied
         public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the
         greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held" [syn: {defy},
         {withstand}, {hold up}]
     33: keep from departing; "Hold the taxi"; "Hold the horse"
     34: stop dealing with; "hold all calls to the President's office
         while he is in a meeting"
     35: aim, point, or direct; "Hold the fire extinguisher directly
         on the flames"
     36: be in accord; be in agreement; "We agreed on the terms of
         the settlement"; "I can't agree with you!"; "I hold with
         those who say life is sacred"; "Both philosophers concord
         on this point" [syn: {agree}, {concur}, {concord}] [ant:
         {disagree}]
     [also: {held}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0