Hold v. i. (past & past part. held; pres. part. holding) 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!""
2.Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued. "Our force by land hath nobly held."
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." "The rule holds in land as all other commodities."
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."
5.To restrain one's self; to refrain. "His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping, but his eyes rebelled."
6.To derive right or title; generally with of. "My crown is absolute, and holds of none." "His imagination holds immediately from nature."
Hold on! Hold up! wait; stop; forbear. (Collog) To hold forth, to speak in public; to harangue; to preach.
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,"
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.
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.
(c)To keep up; not to fall behind; not to lose ground.
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