/toh"hohld/ , n.
1. a small ledge or niche just large enough to support the toes, as in climbing.
2. any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like: His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.
3. a batten nailed to a sloping roof as a support for workers.
4. Wrestling. a hold in which an opponent's foot is twisted.
Also, toe-hold .
[ 1875-80; TOE + HOLD 1 ]