The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Holding \Hold"ing\, n.
   1. The act or state of sustaining, grasping, or retaining.
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   2. A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.
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   3. That which holds, binds, or influences. --Burke.
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   4. The burden or chorus of a song. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   Holding note (Mus.), a note sustained in one part, while
      the other parts move.
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