Holding

Pronunciation

• enPR: hōldʹ-Ä­ng, IPA: /ˈhoːldɪŋ/
• AU IPA: ˈhəʉɫdɪŋ
• UK IPA: ˈhəʊɫdɪŋ
• US IPA: ˈhoÊŠÉ«dɪŋ
• Rhymes: -əʊldɪŋ
• Hyphenation: hold + ing

Noun

1. Something that one owns, especially stocks and bonds.
• 2009, The Economist, Law and order in Italy: Trouble with figuresItaly's right-wing prime minister was about to cure his biggest headache by selling the state's holding in a troubled airline, Alitalia.
2. A determination of law made by a court.
3. A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.
• 1596, William Shakespeare, , V. i. 3:Take again
  From this my hand, as holding of the Pope
  Your sovereign greatness and authority.
4. (obsolete) That which holds, binds, or influences.
5. (obsolete) Logic; consistency.
• 1598, William Shakespeare, , IV. ii. 27:This has no holding,
  To swear by him whom I protest to love
  That I will work against him.
6. (obsolete) The burden or chorus of a song.
• 1598, William Shakespeare, , II. vii. 109:Make battery to our ears with the loud music;
  The while I'll place you; then the boy shall sing.
  The holding every man shall beat as loud
  As his strong sides can volley.

Coordinate terms

• (determination) finding

Verb

1. Present participle of hold
   They were caught holding hands in the dark.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps,..., and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.

Derived terms