a-ˈhold, advb. phr.
[a prep.1 + hold.]
† 1. Obs. ‘A term of our early navigators, for bringing a ship close to the wind, so as to hold or keep to it.’ Adm. Smyth.
| 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. i. 52 Lay her a hold, a hold, set her two courses; off to Sea againe, lay her off. |
2. a-hold of: holding (something). Also in to catch, lay, take, etc., a-hold of, on, upon: see hold n.1 2. Also a-holt (see holt2). colloq. or dial.
| 1872 E. Eggleston End of World xi. 77 You gripped a-holt of the truth. 1879 Scribner's Monthly May 17/1 With one bee a-hold of your collar..and another a-hold of each arm. a 1881 Lanier Poems (1892) 17, I will heartily lay me a-hold on the greatness of God. 1887 Morris Odyss. x. 264 He caught ahold upon me. 1925 E. Hemingway In our Time (1926) v. 79 Nick dropped his wrist. ‘Listen,’ Ad Francis said. ‘Take ahold again.’ 1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 107 Some of the birds tried to get aholt of me. |