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. (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.