holdingn.
/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/ I. The action of holding and related uses.
1. † c. Consistency. Obsolete. rare. (Cf. to hold together at hold v. Phrasal verbs.)
a. The action of hold v., in various senses.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > [noun]
holding?c1225
keepingc1400
retainment1449
retainer1453
retain1455
retainingc1460
retainder1467
retinue1489
retentivea1500
retention1540
reservation1607
retainal1754
reserval1829
the world > space > relative position > posture > [noun] > action of posturing body
holding?c1225
posturinga1628
posing1854
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > [noun]
holda1300
holding1545
handhold1655
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 135 Þet habeo eauer edmod..wið lach haldunge of hire seoluen.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5994 Alle wrang haldyngs of gudes sere.
c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. lxxi In the holdyng ne in þe kepyng.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ix. l. 22 Thow werray help in haldyn off the rycht.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 32 Holdynge must not be longe, for it..putteth a bowe in ieopardy.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 451 They would almost in kindnesse hurt, with hard, but kindest holdings.
a1774 Z. Pearce Serm. (1778) IV. ii. 31 This is the unity of the Christian Church, the holding of Christ for the head.
1855 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. I. 848 To obtain a holding, they are twisted round the stakes.
b. spec. The tenure or occupation of land.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > action or fact of
tenementa1325
tenantry1391
holding1420
manuring1436
tenure1442
manurance?1467
occupying1577
tenancy1590
holda1647
1420 Searchers Verdicts in Surtees Misc. (1888) 16 A tenement of Sir John of Langton Knyght in the haldyng of John Rumby.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. clxii. 145 That he shold come to parlement for his lande and for his holdynge in walys.
1609 J. Skene tr. Stat. Robert III in Regiam Majestatem 59 To schaw his chartour (or maner of halding to his overlord).
1774 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. App., in Wks. (1859) I. 138 In the earlier ages of the Saxon settlement, feudal holdings were certainly unknown.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) I. 284 Such a holding now operated as a tenancy from year to year.
1875 H. J. S. Maine Lect. Early Hist. Inst. iv. 102 That the Irish holdings in ‘rundale’ are not forms of property, but modes of occupation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > uniformity > [noun]
evenlinesseOE
evennessa1398
equality1398
uniformity?a1475
equalness1545
uniformness1579
coherence1588
constancy1593
identity1611
oneness1611
holdinga1616
homogeneity1625
homogeny1626
unity1638
equiformity1646
self-consistencya1652
invariableness1654
homogeneousness1658
univocacy1658
sameness1743
consistency1787
self-similarity1847
consistence1850
flushnessa1878
homogenization1938
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. ii. 28 This ha's no holding To sweare by him whom I protest to loue That I will worke against him. View more context for this quotation
d. With adverbs: see hold v. Phrasal verbs holding up (see quot. 1888).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > retention or restraint
holding1581
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > [noun] > other specific processes
holding up1888
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xv. 68 The holding in of the breath.
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 100 The cause of this holding of and delay.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. vi. 11 I am weary with holding in. View more context for this quotation
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 78 When..a dull Sentence, and a moral Fable Do more, than all our Holdings~forth are able.
1689 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 648 Lond derry after a wonderfull & brave holding out: Relieved.
1711 M. Astell (title) Quaker's Sermon: or a Holding-Forth concerning Barabbas.
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. 178 Holding up, the maintaining of a firm pressure against the heads of rivets while their closing up is being effected, a holding-up hammer being used for the purpose.
1908 J. G. Horner Plating & Boiler-making (ed. 2) xii. 214 Holding-up dollies were shown in Figs. 56 and 57... In girder work a rig-up like that shown in Fig. 235 is used. It consists of a heavy holding-up hammer a, on the end of a long elastic handle b.
e. Association Football. The obstruction of a player by taking hold of his jersey, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
holding1866
hand-balling1867
left-footer1874
header1875
handball1879
goal kick1881
corner1882
spot kick1884
middle1899
clearance1920
cross-kick1927
cross-pass1929
body swerve1933
open goal1934
headball1936
chip1939
through-ball1956
wall pass1958
outswinger1959
cross1961
overlap1969
blooter1976
hospital pass1978
route one1978
sidefoot1979
top bin1999
ankle-biting2001
1866 Cassell's Illustr. Fam. Paper 17 Mar. 509/2 ‘Holding’ includes the obstruction of a player by the hands, arms, or body without kicking or throwing.
1967 Association Football (‘Know the Game’ Series) 33 Should the obstruction take the form of a personal foul, e.g., pushing, holding, charging unfairly or tripping, then the foul is penalised by a direct free kick.
2. That which holds or lays hold; an attachment; a means of laying hold or influencing.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > influence > [noun]
powerc1300
authorityc1405
voice1433
swaya1510
gravity1534
force1582
bias1587
interest1600
prevalence1612
prevailance1631
pondus1638
prevailancya1649
prevailency1650
influence1652
prevalency1652
weight1710
prevailingness1757
holding1770
mojo1923
clout1958
muscle1965
1770 E. Burke Thoughts Present Discontents 70 This is one of the principal holdings of that destructive system, which has endeavoured to unhinge all the virtuous, honourable, and useful connections in the kingdom.
a1797 E. Burke Wks. (1842) I. Introd. 21 If I have assisted to loosen the foreign holdings of the citizen, and taught him to look for his protection to the laws of his country.
1806 R. Cumberland Mem. (1807) I. 242 I had a holding on Lord Halifax, founded on my father's merits.
1887 ‘L. Scott’ Tuscan Stud. i. i. 40 The block in some manner slipped from the holdings and fell heavily into the river.
II. That which is held.† 4. An opinion held, a tenet. Obsolete.† 5. The burden of a song. Obsolete.
3.
a. Land held by legal right, esp. of a superior; a tenement.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > a legal holding > [noun]
hold1303
tenementsa1325
tenementc1330
occupying1431
tenure1439
landholdinga1475
living1581
holding1640
occupation1792
1640 W. Boswell Let. to Laud 12 June in Ussher Proph. (1687) 5 All evil Contrivances here and in France, and in other Protestant Holdings.
a1810 R. Tannahill Poems When John and me were married Our hading was but sma'.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 89 Capitalists were not allowed to drive the labourers from their holdings.
b. Property held, esp. stocks or shares.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > stocks, shares, or bonds > [noun] > held
holding1573
interest1674
equity1889
net worth1930
to have a stake in1955
1573 in Gross Gild Merch. (1890) II. 76 The sayde wardens..shall have for their paynes double holdinges of all the bargaines.
1872 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. (ed. 2) II. viii. vi. 584 Documents representing holdings in foreign government debts.
1891 Daily News 28 Apr. 2/7 As the pressing sellers have disposed of their holdings, prices are now sound.
c. The cards held by a player.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > hand
game1554
handc1555
deal1607
trick1607
stock1637
holding1929
1929 M. C. Work Compl. Contract Bridge iv. 38 With such holdings..the rebid should be made.
1959 Listener 10 Dec. 1054/2 The high card holding is weak.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > [noun] > a view, notion, opinion
thingOE
thoughtc1300
opinion1340
device1393
holdingc1449
opinationc1475
sense1539
apprehension1579
suppose1587
supposal1589
conception1603
notion1603
opining1611
tenet1631
respect1662
sentiment1675
perception1701
the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > [noun] > as a belief
holdingc1449
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 5 Thre trowingis, holdingis, or opiniouns.
1450–5 R. Pecock Bk. Faith i. §2 (1688) 1 To followe the Determynations and the Holdingis of the Churche in mater of Feith.
1851 J. Hinton Let. in Miss Hopkins Life (1885) v. 84 A train of thought that has almost revolutionised my holdings.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > a song > [noun] > refrain
refraid?a1439
overword?a1513
refrain1530
foot1538
counterverse1570
faburden1580
burden1598
holding1598
chorus1601
foreburden1603
bob1606
ludden1607
down1611
nonnya1616
rame?c1625
tag1717
overcome?a1800
overturn1825
1598 Health to Gentlemanly Profession Seruingmen sig. C A song is to be song, the vndersong or holding whereof is, It is merrie in Haul, when Beardes wagges all.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vii. 108 Then the Boy shall sing. The holding euery man shall beate as loud, As his strong sides can volly. View more context for this quotation
Compounds
General attributive. C1. Of or for holding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [adjective] > for fixing or holding fast
holdinga1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) v. iv. 4 The Cable broke, the holding-Anchor lost. View more context for this quotation
1733 J. Tull Horse-hoing Husbandry xxii. 153 This Holding-Screw has a pretty broad Head.
1898 Daily News 15 Feb. 8/1 The car with its adjuncts was a marvel of holding capacity.
C2.
holding ground n. (a) a bottom in which an anchor will hold, anchorage; also figurative; (b) a site for storing floating timber.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > [noun] > action, fact, or opportunity of anchoring > conditions admitting of anchoring > bottom suitable for
anchoring ground1619
groundage1637
holding ground1753
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > lumbering > [noun] > site for storing floating timber
timber-pond1840
rafting works1886
holding ground1957
1753 T. Woodroofe in J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. lix. 393 There is 3 fathoms water, and a good holding ground.
1839 F. Marryat Phantom Ship II. xxiii. 237 The anchor..dragged from..bad holding-ground.
1849 G. Grote Hist. Greece VI. ii. i. 334 The assembly and the dikastery were Kleon's theatre and holding-ground.
1957 Brit. Commonw. Forest Terminol.: Pt. II (Empire Forestry Assoc.) 2 Holding ground, a boom site for storing timber.
1961 F. H. Burgess Dict. Sailing 116 Holding ground, the nature of the bottom and its holding quality for purposes of anchoring.
holding-note n. Music ‘a note sustained in one part while the others are in motion’ (Stainer & Barrett).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > [noun] > movement of parts > sustained note
holding-note1776
point d'orgue?1779
pedal note1786
pedal point1814
pedal1854
organ point1865
sustention1883
sustain1951
1776 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music I. 66 Euclid tells us..that sounds may be sustained in the same tone, which we call a holding note.
holding operation n. an undertaking which prevents a situation from worsening, but can do little or nothing to improve it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > maintaining state or condition > [noun] > means of
sustainera1325
maintenance1570
holding operation1962
1962 Listener 8 Mar. 400/1 Whether it [sc. a White Paper] will achieve its immediate object of persuading the unions to help the economy over its next stile by holding down labour costs, we must wait and see... As a holding operation it may win some success.
1972 Guardian 9 Sept. 13/8 Mr Jenkins's last-minute scramble to satisfy the TUC..was only a holding operation to keep him sweet with Congress.
holding paddock n. Australian and New Zealand a paddock where sheep or cattle are kept until required (for droving, shearing, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal enclosure or house general > [noun] > enclosure > other enclosures
post-and-rail paddock1684
straw yard1787
parkc1797
run1853
chicken run1868
creep1886
trap-yard1906
cutout1920
holding pen1923
holding paddock1933
holding yard1950
1933 L. G. D. Acland in Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 28 Oct. 17/7 Holding paddock, a small paddock, close to yards, wool~shed, or mustering hut, for holding (not feeding) sheep.
1934 Bulletin (Sydney) 16 May 38/4 At midday the cattle, mad with thirst, broke out of the holding paddock and vanished in a wild stampede over a high hillcrest into the vast unfenced wilderness of the hills beyond.
1941 Coast to Coast 22 Wiggins said some steers had got out of his holding paddocks.
1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Oct. 35 Cattle in a holding paddock before being drafted.
holding pen n. see holding paddock n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal enclosure or house general > [noun] > enclosure > other enclosures
post-and-rail paddock1684
straw yard1787
parkc1797
run1853
chicken run1868
creep1886
trap-yard1906
cutout1920
holding pen1923
holding paddock1933
holding yard1950
1923 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. 20 Mar. 144 The holding-pens in the shed..should never be too large.
1965 J. S. Gunn Terminol. Shearing Industry i. 32 Holding pen, one of the small pens or yards in which sheep are held, usually within the shed, under shelter, while awaiting shearing.
holding yard n. see holding paddock n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal enclosure or house general > [noun] > enclosure > other enclosures
post-and-rail paddock1684
straw yard1787
parkc1797
run1853
chicken run1868
creep1886
trap-yard1906
cutout1920
holding pen1923
holding paddock1933
holding yard1950
1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Apr. 377/2 For handling large herds [of cows] a crush yard is recommended, with the main holding yard either in front or at one side.
1959 Listener 15 Jan. 115/1 There were some good holding yards where we could put the cattle for the night.
C3. Aeronautics. Used attributively, of or pertaining to the process of ‘stacking’ aircraft in the air above a landing site before they come down to land.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > regulation and control of flying > [adjective] > relating to sequence of waiting to land
holding1948
1948 Shell Aviation News No. 116. 19/3 Holding procedures as an integral part of the traffic control system for jet transports should be completely eliminated.
1958 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 985/1 Holding pattern, a specified flight track..which an aircraft may be required to maintain about a holding point. Holding point, an identifiable point, such as a radio beacon, in the vicinity of which an aircraft under air traffic control may be instructed to remain.
1969 Daily Tel. 14 Nov. 1/7 Stacking over a ‘holding area’ while waiting a turn to land, is not uncommon, especially in poor weather conditions.
1972 New Yorker 16 Sept. 26/1 He turned on the plane's radio, in order to hear the traffic controller at the..airport talking to several airliners stacked in a holding pattern overhead.
Draft additions August 2007
holding game n. Sport a tactical approach which focuses on playing defensively, esp. in order to maintain a lead; chiefly in to play a holding game.
ΚΠ
1951 Times Herald (Olean, N.Y.) 14 Feb. 14/7 Siena was forced into playing a holding game to protect its slim lead.
1967 Times 16 Feb. 6/6 A holding game was all that London looked capable of.
2006 Mirror (Nexis) 22 Nov. 62 Pre-match promises of all-out attack proved to be no more than tactical bluff with Strachan fielding a midfield geared to play a holding game.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
holdingadj.
1.
a. That holds, in various senses (see the verb); retentive; grasping; tenacious.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > indigestible > not easily digested
holdingc1400
heavy1574
restraining1597
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > [adjective] > attached by something adhesive > having adhesive quality
cleavingc1350
holdingc1400
withholdingc1430
fatc1503
gluing1572
adhering1592
viscous1605
tenacious1648
birdlimey1657
adhesive1661
agglutinating1664
sticky1688
clingy1708
adherescent1743
tacky1788
detainable1801
detentive1881
stickfast1888
stick-on1904
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adjective]
gnedec900
gripplea1000
fastOE
narrow-hearteda1200
narrow?c1225
straitc1290
chinchc1300
nithinga1325
scarcec1330
clama1340
hard1340
scantc1366
sparingc1386
niggardc1400
chinchy?1406
retentivea1450
niggardousa1492
niggish1519
unliberal1533
pinching1548
dry1552
nigh1555
niggardly1560
churlish1566
squeamish1566
niggardish1567
niggard-like1567
holding1569
spare1577
handfast1578
envious1580
close-handed1585
hard-handed1587
curmudgeonly1590
parsimonious?1591
costive1594
hidebound1598
penny-pinching1600
penurious1600
strait-handed1600
club-fisted1601
dry-fisted1604
fast-handed1605
fast-fingered1607
close-fisted1608
near1611
scanting1613
carkingc1620
illiberal1623
clutch-fisteda1634
hideboundeda1640
clutch-fista1643
clunch-fisted1644
unbounteous1645
hard-fisted1646
purse-bound1652
close1654
stingy1659
tenacious1676
scanty1692
sneaking1696
gripe-handed1698
narrow-souled1699
niggardling1704
snippy1727
unindulgent1742
shabby1766
neargoinga1774
cheesemongering1781
split-farthing1787
save-all1788
picked1790
iron-fisted1794
unhandsome1800
scaly1803
nearbegoing1805
tight1805
nippit1808
nipcheese1819
cumin-splitting1822
partan-handed1823
scrimping1823
scrumptious1823
scrimpy1825
meanly1827
skinny1833
pinchfisted1837
mean1840
tight-fisted1843
screwy1844
stinty1849
cheeseparing1857
skinflinty1886
mouly1904
mingy1911
cheapskate1912
picey1937
tight-assed1961
chintzy1964
tightwad1976
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > inordinate or excessive desire > [adjective] > inordinately desirous of possessions
greedya1000
overgreedyOE
avarous1303
covetous1340
concupiscible1398
avaricious1474
silver-sick?a1500
lucrous1511
having1528
lucrative1549
concupiscentious1555
holding1569
griping?1573
concupiscential1577
over-havinga1600
gripulous1614
ingordigious1637
concupitive1651
appropriative1655
lucripetous1675
coveting1699
grasping1747
concupiscenta1834
acquisitive1846
pleonectic1858
big-eye1868
wanting1876
possessive1889
grabby1910
gold-digging1925
territorial1966
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > [adjective]
fasta1398
gripple1513
nipping1566
griping?1573
grasping1577
gripping1623
tenacious1647
holding1681
vice-like1835
tenent1861
the world > the earth > land > ground > [adjective] > condition for movement
foec1400
smoothc1400
soft?1523
skelp1607
heavy1710
tender1727
severe1881
holding1891
underfoot1976
the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > containing or having within > [adjective]
continentive1530
containing?1541
retaining1611
holding1891
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. (1898) 70 Nedys þat he take first a holdynge mete yn þe ground of þe stomake.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 49 He was free and liberall to straungers, and heard and holdyng from his familiers and seruauntes.
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum iv. 35 It is..the most holding Bait of all other.
1891 Field 19 Dec. 957/1 Fetlock deep in holding clay.
1930 Daily Express 6 Nov. 16/1 The keen east wind dried up the course, which was inclined to be on the holding side.
1955 Times 19 May 4/4 In August last year the going was extremely holding.
b. holding company n. a trading company which possesses the whole of, or a controlling interest in, the share capital of one or more other companies.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading organization > [noun]
common market1843
clique1855
syndicate1865
pool1868
ring1869
conference1894
cartel1902
holding company1906
price ring1914
trading bloc1922
club1950
society > trade and finance > management of money > solvency > [adjective]
afloat1538
straight1613
solvable1647
solvent1653
solvendoa1684
clear1712
holding company1906
self-financing1913
1906 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 18 Jan. 1/5 A bill to prohibit ‘holding companies’ such as have lately effected the merger of various corporations..was introduced in the legislature today.
1912 Q. Rev. Jan. 195 The Federal Steel Company, which is technically, like the Steel Corporation of to-day, a holding company.
1928 Britain's Industr. Future (Liberal Industr. Inq.) ii. viii. 93 To treat trusts, cartels, combinations, holding companies, and trade associations as inexpedient abnormalities in the economic system.
1928 Daily Mail 7 Aug. 18/4 This conservative finance enables the Shell, as a holding company,..to maintain its dividends in times of depression.
1930 A. Palmer Company Secretarial Pract. xix. 255 The Act does not specifically define a holding company, but refers to it as a company holding shares, either directly or through a nominee, in a subsidiary company.
1958 Times 11 Aug. 11/2 Mrs. Roebling..is director or trustee of more than 16 organizations and president of a holding company.
1972 ‘E. Lathen’ Murder without Icing (1973) xv. 131 Holland's other assets could take a long time to find. He's got everything wrapped up in holding companies.
2. Farming. Applied to animals ‘held’ or kept for breeding. Also elliptical as noun = holding pig, etc. [In origin, attributive use of verbal noun.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > [adjective] > kept for breeding
holding1547
store1602
stock1785
1547 Will of Robert Meese (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/33) f. 253v My blacke sowe with v holdinge pigges.
1615 G. Markham Eng. House-wife (1660) 177 Holding Swine, which are onely to be preserved in good flesh.
1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 348 Pasture, which is grazed by the breeding cattle, or ‘holding stock’.
1853 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 14 ii. 300 From the high rates of holding lambs, many farmers last season hogged the lambs.
3. holding-down bolt, holding-down pin, holding-down ring.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > other parts > [noun] > devices for securing or uniting parts
key1434
chevel-bolt1480
strop1573
gimbals1577
gimmals1598
gimmera1603
strap1620
bridle1667
key band1735
screw-joint1810
locking plate1812
safety pin1822
king bolt1839
square coupling1845
holding-down bolt1846
ball joint1849
pinholder1854
knuckle-joint1860
bayonet-joint1870
elbow1874
fox-key1874
split-pin1875
cotter-pin1881
elbow-joint1881
banjo-frame1888
holding-down pin1892
holding-down ring1899
feather1908
banjo union1922
1846 Patent Jrnl. 1 226/2 On each side of the holding down bolts..an upright pillar is erected.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1112/2 Holding-down Bolt,..one of twelve or more strong bolts, which are passed from the outside of a steam-vessel through the floor-timbers, sleepers, foundation-plate of the engine, and the bosses on the cylinders, condensers, and side-frames, and are secured by strong nuts.
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 19 Every gun provided with a holding-down bolt.
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 260 Certain accessories.., such as cords, planks, and holding-down pins.
1899 Kynoch Jrnl. Dec. 29/2 The cones are secured to ships' decks by holding-down rings.
1930 Engineering 4 Apr. 440/2 Checking parts for fit and tightening holding-down and other bolts.
Derivatives
ˈholdingly adv. rare
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > [adverb]
holdinglyc1375
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > [adverb] > adhesively
cleavingly1340
holdinglyc1375
adherently1772
adhesively1789
stickily1846
glueily1925
c1375 Gloss. in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 8 Tenaciter, holdynglyche.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Tenacement, fastly, cleauingly, holdingly.
Draft additions February 2005
Association Football. Of or designating a midfield player who plays in a defensive position just in front of the defence.
ΚΠ
1986 Times 1 Feb. 27/4 The loss of [Peter] Reid from his position as the ‘holding’ player in midfield has been equally crucial.
1995 Northern Echo (Electronic ed.) 26 Apr. If the former England skipper calls time on his glorious career, he is certain to seek a replacement to fill his midfield holding role.
2002 Sunday Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 8 Dec. b3/4 The steady Watson Coriolon who operated as a holding midfielder.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.?c1225
adj.c1375