Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about Held (AI summary)

The word “held” in literature is a remarkably versatile term that can denote physical actions, metaphorical states, or formal circumstances. It is often used to describe a tangible grasp or support—Holmes “held the lamp towards it” in his investigation [1] or a character “held her in my arms” to express a deep emotional bond [2]—while in other instances it conveys a more abstract or institutional condition. For example, authors describe authority or duration with phrases such as a leader who “held office” for a specific time period [3] or an event that “was held” in a particular setting [4]. Additionally, “held” can evoke the sense of restraint or an unspoken barrier, as when something “was being held back” from full disclosure [5] or a promise is diligently maintained [6]. Through these diverse usages, the term enriches narrative texture by bridging the literal and figurative realms within the text.
  1. Holmes held the lamp towards it.
    — from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
  2. The happiness which filled me, if I can express it in that manner, was much greater when I conversed with her even than when I held her in my arms.
    — from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova
  3. Cenred then succeeded to the government, and held it two years; then Osric, who held it eleven years.
    — from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
  4. The dinner was held in a private room at the Union Club.
    — from Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis
  5. And yet the more I thought of the lady’s face and of her manner the more I felt that something was being held back from me.
    — from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
  6. And she’s held me to that promise ever since, though I’ve gone on my knees to her in my turn to beg her to let me off.”
    — from Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux