holding-ground

(hol’ding-ground), n. Naut., anchoring-ground; especially, good anchoring ground, where the anchors will not drag. 2856 Extreme depths of water, one hundred fathoms being often found right up to the shore, with generally very foul holding-ground where the depths are more moderate, Science, X. 47. hole} (hol), a. and », [I. a.