Chapter Hoecake to Hold of H by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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 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.

Hold
(Hold) n.

1. 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.

Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold.

Chaucer.

Thou should'st lay hold upon him.

B. Jonson.

My soul took hold on thee.

Addison.

Take fast hold of instruction.

Pror. iv. 13.

2. The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.

The law hath yet another hold on you.

Shak.

3. Binding power and influence.

Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of.

Tillotson.

4. Something that may be grasped; means of support.

If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall.

Bacon.