holding

plural holdings

1. Something that one owns, especially stocks and bonds.

   The defender at third position is supposed to keep the partner informed of his holdings in that suit.

   2014, D. K. Acharya, Standard Methods of Contract Bridge Complete, page 378

   2 more examples

   Although this survey lists only a small number of representative materials in the Hoover Library's Baltic Collection, a comprehensive view of the library's holdings can be gained from the Hoover Institution's card catalog or its printed equivalent

   1980, Joseph D. Dwyer, Russia, the Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe, page 9

   Italy's right-wing prime minister was about to cure his biggest headache by selling the state's holding in a troubled airline, Alitalia.

   2009, The Economist, Law and order in Italy: Trouble with figures

2. A determination of law made by a court.
3. 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.

   c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], line 3

4. obsoleteLogic; consistency.

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

   c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], line 27

5. hobbiesA foul consisting of impermissibly restricting the movement of an opposing player with the hands or stick.
6. obsoleteThe burden or chorus of a song.

   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.

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii], line 109

7. obsoleterareThat which holds, binds, or influences; hold; influence; power.

   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.

   1770, Edmund Burke, Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents, London: J. Dodsley, page 104

8. nonstandardA holding company, or other kind of company.

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of hold

   They were caught holding hands in the dark.

   1 more example

   Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps,[…], and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC

1. A surname.