Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HOLD, v.i.

1. To be true; not to fail; to stand, as a fact or truth. This is a sound argument in many cases, but does not hold in the case under consideration. The rule holds in lands as well as in other things. Locke. In this application, we often say, to hold true, to hold good. The argument holds good in both cases. This holds true in most cases.
2. To continue unbroken or unsubdued. Our force by land hath nobly held. [Little used.] Shak.
3. To last; to endure. Bacon. We now say, to hold out.
4. To continue. While our obedience holds. Milton.
5. To be fast; to be firm; not to give way, or part. The rope is strong; I believe it will hold. The anchor holds well.
6. To refrain. His dauntless heart would fain have held From weeping. Dryden.
7. To stick or adhere. The plaster will not hold. To hold forth, to speak in public; to harangue; to preach; to proclaim. L'Estrange. To hold in, to restrain one's self. He was tempted to laugh; he could hardly hold in. #2. To continue in good luck. [Unusual.] Swift. To hold off, to keep at a distance; to avoid connection. To hold of, to be dependent on; to derive title from. My crown is absolute and holds of none. Dryden. To hold on, to continue; not to be interrupted. The trade held on many years. Swift. #2. To keep fast hold; to cling to. #3. To proceed in a course. Job xvii. To hold out, to last; to endure; to continue. A consumptive constitution may hold out a few years. He will accomplish the work if his strength holds out. #2. Not to yield; not to surrender; not to be subdued. The garrison still held out. To hold to, to cling or cleave to; to adhere. Else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matth. vi. To hold under, or from, to have title from; as, petty barons holding under the greater barons. To hold with, to adhere to; to side with; to stand up for. To hold plow, to direct or steer a plow by the hand in tillage. To hold together, to be joined; not to separate; to remaIn in union. Dryden. Locke. To hold up, to support one's self; as, to hold up under misfortunes. #2. To cease raining; to cease, as falling weather; used impersonally. It holds up; it will hold up. #3. To continue the same speed; to run or move as fast. Collier. But we now say, to keep up. To hold a wager, to lay, to stake or to hazard a wager. Swift. Hold, used imperatively, signifies stop; cease; forbear; be still.