holding

(hōldiŋ)

noun

  1. land, esp. a farm, rented from another
  2. property owned, as stocks, bonds, or inventory; assets
  3. in certain sports, the illegal use of the hands and arms to hinder the movements of an opponent

Origin: ME holdinge: see hold

See holding in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. Land rented or leased from another.
    b. Legally owned property, such as land, capital, or stocks. Often used in the plural.
  2. holdings The collection of books and other reading materials at a library.
  3. Law A court ruling, especially a ruling on a point of law raised in an official proceeding.
  4. Sports Illegal use of the arms, hands, body, or playing stick to obstruct the movements of an opponent.
adjective
  1. Tending to impede or delay progress: a holding action.
  2. Designed for usually short-term storage or retention: a holding tank; a holding cell.

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