Definition of Anchor

Anchor

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.
4. An emblem of hope.
5. A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.
6. 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.
7. One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta.
8. To place at anchor; to secure by an anchor; as, to anchor a ship.
9. To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.
10. To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship (or the captain) anchored in the stream.
11. To stop; to fix or rest.
12. An anchoret.