holding

noun

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

   “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”

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

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

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.”

4. (obsolete)Logic; consistency.

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

5. A foul consisting of impermissibly restricting the movement of an opposing player with the hands or stick.
6. (obsolete)The 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.”

7. (obsolete, rare)That 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.”

8. (nonstandard)A holding company, or other kind of company (by back-translation from Russian холдинг (xolding)).

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of hold

   “They were caught holding hands in the dark.”

   “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.”

name

1. A surname.