3. (Com.) The payee of a bill of exchange or a promissory note, or the
one who owns or holds it.
Holder is much used as the second part of a compound; as, shareholder,
officeholder, stockholder,etc.
Hold"er-forth` (?), n. One who speaks in public; an haranguer; a
preacher. Addison.
Hold"fast` (?), n. 1. Something used to secure and hold in place
something else, as a long flat-headed nail, a catch a hook, a clinch, a
clamp, etc.; hence, a support. "His holdfast was gone." Bp. Montagu.
2. (Bot.) A conical or branching body, by which a seaweed is attached
to its support, and differing from a root in that it is not specially
absorbent of moisture.
Hold"ing, n. 1. The act or state of sustaining, grasping, or retaining.