hold-n; 11 Senses

Sense Number 1: physical grasp or clenching on to something

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+physical][+gripping]

Examples:
John's hold on the tree branch began to weaken.
The wrestler could not free himself from his opponent's hold.
The dog released its hold of the man's throat when commanded to do so.

Mappings:
PropBank: hold.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a mental grasp, appreciation, comprehension of something

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+mental][+comprehension]

Examples:
Reporters at the disaster site are trying to get hold of what's going on at the moment.
The students struggled to get hold of the mathematics underlying quantum mechanics.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: influence, control, or power over something

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+social][+power][+influence]

Examples:
The charismatic singer had quite a hold over the audience.
The dictator has continued to tighten his hold over the news agencies.
The idea has lost its hold on the public's imagination.
John needs to get a hold on his emotions about this.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: delay or postponement

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+temporal][+postponement]
NOTE: usually in the phrase 'on hold'

Examples:
Customer service put me on hold for thirty minutes.
The meeting is on hold until tomorrow afternoon.
The illness put John's vacation plans on hold.
Air traffic has put a hold on our flight because of weather conditions.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: being in detention or custody

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+physical][+detention]

Examples:
The prisoner is on hold at the country jail.
They are in the hold of the police.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: a military fortification, stronghold

Commentary: HOLD[+entity][+artifact][+building][+fortification][+military]

Examples:
From their hold, the archers could pick off enemy soldiers outside the walls.
It was an extensive hold high on a cliff, with many cannons pointing out to sea.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 7: a jail cell

Commentary: HOLD[+entity][+artifact][+building][+incarceration][+room][+locked]

Examples:
They have two suspects in the hold right now at the county jail.
The town drunkard spend another night in the hold.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 8: an appendage that is a handle or grip on an object

Commentary: HOLD[+entity][+artifact][+device][+appendage][+handle] [+relation][+role][+gripper][+intentional]

Examples:
The hold of John's new briefcase in made of fine leather.
Grab one of the holds on the ceiling of the subway car so you don't stumble when the train moves.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 8

Sense Number 9: storage area, cargo deck of a vesse;

Commentary: HOLD[+entity][+artifact][+structure][+deck][+cargo][+vessel]

Examples:
Oxygen tanks in the hold of the aircraft caused the fire to spread.
The ship's hold was full of barrels of wine and olive oil.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 9

Sense Number 10: have possession of, contact with

Commentary: HOLD[+state][+physical][+possession]
NOTE: mostly in the phrase 'get hold of'

Examples:
Do you know where I can get hold of a good road map?
We tried to get hold of the store manager, but he was on vacation.
Mary got hold of some excellent single malt scotch.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 3e

Sense Number 11: small, flat physical place to put a hand or foot

Commentary: HOLD[+form][+natural][+ledge][+small] [+relation][+role][+gripper][-intentional]

Examples:
Bob felt carefully on the rock ledge above him and found a hold for his hands.
The hold crumbled under his foot, and he scrambled to avoid falling off the cliff.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1b