cast anchor

Variant of anchor

anchor definition

an·chor (aŋ′kər)

noun

  1. a heavy object, usually a shaped iron weight with flukes, lowered by cable or chain to the bottom of a body of water to keep a vessel from drifting
  2. any device that holds something else secure
  3. anything that gives or seems to give stability or security
  4. a person who anchors a team, newscast, etc.

Etymology: ME anker < OE ancor < L anc(h)ora < Gr ankyra, an anchor, hook < IE base *ank-, to bend > ankle

adjective

designating the final leg, or stage, of a relay race

transitive verb

  1. to keep from drifting, giving way, etc., by or as by an anchor
  2. to serve as the end person for (a tug-of-war team)
  3. to serve as the final contestant for (a relay team, bowling team, etc.)
  4. Radio, TV to serve as coordinator of the various reports and as chief reporter for (a newscast)

intransitive verb

  1. to lower the anchor overboard so as to keep from drifting
  2. to be or become fixed
anchor Idioms

at anchor

anchored

drop anchor

or cast anchor
  1. to lower the anchor overboard
  2. to stay or settle (in a place)

drag anchor

  1. to drift because of the failure of the anchor to hold
  2. to lose ground; slip or fail

ride at anchor

to be anchored: said of ships

weigh anchor

  1. to hoist a ship's anchor off the bottom preparatory to sailing
  2. to leave; go away

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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