intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English holden on, from holden to hold + on
1.
a. : to go on : maintain a course : continue
held on in their route until they arrived at a river
b. : to remain unconquered or undefeated
felt they could hold on under siege for at least two months
2.
a. : to maintain one's position : hold on to something : hang on
a ledge where the tree roots could hold on
b. : to delay action (as in making a sale)
wanted to sell but held on, hoping for a rise in price
3. : to wait a minute : stop , cease — used especially in the imperative
the man became irritated at the speaker and finally cried, “Hold on!”
•
- hold on to