1. (n.) The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.

2. (v. t.) 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.

3. (v. t.) To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.

4. (v. t.) To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.

5. (v. t.) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.

6. (v. t.) To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.

7. (v. t.) To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.

8. (v. t.) To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.

9. (v. t.) To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.

10. (v. t.) To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.

11. (v. t.) To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.

12. (n. i.) In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:

13. (n. i.) Not to more; to halt; to stop;-mostly in the imperative.

14. (n. i.) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.

15. (n. i.) Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.

16. (n. i.) Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave;-often with, to, or for.

17. (n. i.) To restrain one's self; to refrain.

18. (n. i.) To derive right or title; -- generally with of.

19. (n.) The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; gripe; possession; -- often used with the verbs take and lay.

20. (n.) The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.

21. (n.) Binding power and influence.

22. (n.) Something that may be grasped; means of support.

23. (n.) A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.

24. (n.) A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold.

25. (n.) A character [thus /] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; -- called also pause, and corona.

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