stronghold

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; grip; possession; -- often used with the verbs take and lay. [1913 Webster]

Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

Thou should'st lay hold upon him.— B. Jonson.[1913 Webster]

My soul took hold on thee.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

Take fast hold of instruction.— Pror. iv. 13.[1913 Webster]

2.The authority or ground to take or keep; claim. [1913 Webster]

The law hath yet another hold on you.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Binding power and influence. [1913 Webster]

Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of.— Tillotson.[1913 Webster]

4.Something that may be grasped; means of support. [1913 Webster]

If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

5.A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard. [1913 Webster]

They . . . put them in hold unto the next day.— Acts. iv. 3.[1913 Webster]

King Richard, he is in the mighty hold Of Bolingbroke.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

6.A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

New comers in an ancient hold— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]

7.(Mus.) A character [thus ?] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; -- called also pause, and corona. [1913 Webster]