Anchor

['æŋkə] or ['æŋkɚ]

Definition

(noun.) a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving.

(noun.) a central cohesive source of support and stability; 'faith is his anchor'; 'the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money'; 'he is the linchpin of this firm'.

(noun.) a television reporter who coordinates a broadcast to which several correspondents contribute.

(verb.) secure a vessel with an anchor; 'We anchored at Baltimore'.

(verb.) fix firmly and stably; 'anchor the lamppost in concrete'.

Edited by Albert--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A iron instrument which is attached to a ship by a cable (rope or chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the ship in a particular station.

(n.) Any instrument or contrivance serving a purpose like that of a ship's anchor, as an arrangement of timber to hold a dam fast; a contrivance to hold the end of a bridge cable, or other similar part; a contrivance used by founders to hold the core of a mold in place.

(n.) Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.

(n.) An emblem of hope.

(n.) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.

(n.) Carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor or arrowhead; -- a part of the ornaments of certain moldings. It is seen in the echinus, or egg-and-anchor (called also egg-and-dart, egg-and-tongue) ornament.

(n.) One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta.

(v. t.) To place at anchor; to secure by an anchor; as, to anchor a ship.

(v. t.) To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.

(v. i.) To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship (or the captain) anchored in the stream.

(v. i.) To stop; to fix or rest.

(n.) An anchoret.

Editor: Warren

Definition

n. an implement for retaining a ship in a particular spot by temporarily chaining it to the bed of a sea or river. The most common form has two flukes one or other of which enters the ground and so gives hold; but many modifications are used some with movable arms some self-canting.—Anchors are distinguished as the starboard and port bowers sheet spare stream kedge and grapnel or boat anchors: (fig.) anything that gives stability or security.—v.t. to fix by an anchor: to fasten.—v.i. to cast anchor: to stop or rest on.—ns. Anch′orage the act of anchoring: the place where a ship anchors or can anchor: (Shak.) the anchor and all the necessary tackle for anchoring: a position affording support: (fig.) anything that gives a resting-place or support to the mind: duty imposed on ships for anchoring; Anch′or-hold the hold of an anchor upon the ground: (fig.) security.—adj. Anch′orless without such: unstable.—n. Mushroom-anchor an anchor with a saucer-shaped head on a central shank used for mooring.—At anchor anchored.—To cast anchor to let down the anchor to take up a position; To weigh anchor to take up the anchor so as to be able to sail away.

Typed by Eliza