holding

Something that one owns, especially stocks and bonds.

• Italy's right-wing prime minister was about to cure his biggest headache by selling the state's holding in a troubled airline, Alitalia.
• The defender at third position is supposed to keep the partner informed of his holdings in that suit.

A determination of law made by a court.

A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.

• Take again From this my hand, as holding of the Pope Your sovereign greatness and authority.

Logic; consistency.obsolete

• This has no holding, To swear by him whom I protest to love That I will work against him.

A foul consisting of impermissibly restricting the movement of an opposing player with the hands or stick.

The burden or chorus of a song.obsolete

• 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.

That which holds, binds, or influences; hold; influence; power.obsoleterare

• This is one of the principal holdings of that destructive system, which has endeavoured to unhinge all the virtuous, honourable, and useful connexions in the kingdom.

A holding company, or other kind of company.nonstandard

present participle and gerund of holdform-ofgerundparticiple

• They were caught holding hands in the dark.