from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hold \Hold\, v. i.
In general, to keep one's self in a given position or
condition; to remain fixed. Hence:
[1913 Webster]
1. Not to move; to halt; to stop; -- mostly in the
imperative.
[1913 Webster]
And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!"
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to
remain unbroken or unsubdued.
[1913 Webster]
Our force by land hath nobly held. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to
endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.
[1913 Webster]
While our obedience holds. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The rule holds in land as all other commodities.
--Locke.
[1913 Webster]
4. Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain
attached; to cleave; -- often with with, to, or for.
[1913 Webster]
He will hold to the one and despise the other.
--Matt. vi. 24
[1913 Webster]
5. To restrain one's self; to refrain.
[1913 Webster]
His dauntless heart would fain have held
From weeping, but his eyes rebelled. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
6. To derive right or title; -- generally with of.
[1913 Webster]
My crown is absolute, and holds of none. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
His imagination holds immediately from nature.
--Hazlitt.
[1913 Webster]
{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}.
(a) To support one's self; to remain unbent or unbroken;
as, to hold up under misfortunes.
(b) To cease raining; to cease to stop; as, it holds up.
--Hudibras.
(c) To keep up; not to fall behind; not to lose ground.
--Collier.
[1913 Webster]