Part 860

Hold, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Held (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Holding. Holden (&?;), p. p., is obs. in elegant writing, though still used in legal language.] [OE. haldan, D. houden, OHG. hoten, Icel. halda, Dan. holde, Sw. hÂlla, Goth. haldan to feed, tend (the cattle); of unknown origin. Gf. Avast, Halt, Hod.]

1. To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.

The loops held one curtain to another.

Ex. xxxvi. 12.

Thy right hand shall hold me.

Ps. cxxxix. 10.

They all hold swords, being expert in war.

Cant. iii. 8.

In vain he seeks, that having can not hold.

Spenser.

France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth, Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.

Shak.

2. To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.

We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire.

Milton.

3. To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.

This noble merchant held a noble house.

Chaucer.

Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute.

Knolles.

And now the strand, and now the plain, they held.

Dryden.

4. To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

We can not hold mortality's strong hand.

Shak.

Death! what do'st? O, hold thy blow.

Grashaw.

He had not sufficient judgment and self-command to hold his tongue.