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holdfast Definition

hold·fast (hōld′fast′)

noun

  1. the act of holding fast
  2. any of various devices that hold something else in place; hook, nail, clamp, etc.
  3. Bot. a part of certain rootless plants, as some algae, used to attach the plant to a surface
  4. Zool. an organ of a parasitic or sessile organism, specialized for attachment to a host or other object

holdfast Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • have: It can reach 50m long and have a holdfast ( the bit it sticks to the rocks with ) 1m in diameter.

Adjective modifier

  • hollow: The hollow holdfast of furbelows, covered in suction pads.

Noun used with modifier

  • kelp: The rocks between the kelp holdfasts can be a blaze of color.