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anchor

[ang-ker]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR anchor ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.

any similar device for holding fast or checking motion: an anchor of stones.

any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.

any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.

a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay: Hope was his only anchor.

Radio and Television. a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.

Television. a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.

a well-known store, especially a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located.Also called anchor store.

Slang. automotive brakes.

Military. a key position in defense lines.

Also anchorman. Sports.

the person on a team, especially a relay team, who competes last.
the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.

verb (used with object)

to hold fast by an anchor.

to fix or fasten; affix firmly: The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.

to act or serve as an anchor for: He anchored the evening news.

verb (used without object)

to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor: The ship anchored at dawn.

to keep hold or be firmly fixed: The insect anchored fast to its prey.

Sports, Radio and Television. to act or serve as an anchor.

Idioms

at anchor, held in place by an anchor: The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.

drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.

drop anchor, to anchor a vessel: They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.

weigh anchor, to raise the anchor: We will weigh anchor at dawn.

Origin of anchor

before 900; Middle English anker, ancre, Old English ancor, ancer, ancra (compare Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Middle Low German anker) < Latin anc(h)ora < Greek ánkȳra

Related formsan·chor·a·ble, adjectivean·chor·less, adjectivean·chor·like, adjectivere·an·chor, verbun·an·chored, adjectivewell-an·chored, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for anchored

secure, dock, fix, attach, moor, fasten, plant, drop, berth, stay, catch, tie, imbed

Examples from the Web for anchored

Contemporary Examples of anchored

This mid-election cycle enthusiasm is anchored in recent polling and other factors, Republican strategists and pollsters say.
Yes Republicans, Tell Us Again How You Hate Obamacare
Jamelle Bouie
January 6, 2014
Articulating a strong pro-growth message that is anchored in the bedrock of a strong education would be a nice place to start.
An Inconvenient Truth: Neither Party Is Serious About Diversity
Ron Christie
December 6, 2013
IDF's Military Advocate General: legality of training is anchored in principles of 'belligerent occupation.'
Syrian Baby Born in Israeli Hospital
Orly Halpern
November 4, 2013
Ben-Gurion kept his word, and the Orthodox monopoly was anchored in other developments, as well.
Breaking Down Israel’s Orthodox Monopoly, One Rabbi at a Time
Brent E. Sasley
May 31, 2013
Inventors worked on tornado-safe beds, anchored by foam-lined steel bunkers instead of box springs.
Moore, Oklahoma, May Be the Tornado Capital of America
Eliza Shapiro
May 21, 2013

Historical Examples of anchored

As it was, we beat out with flying colours, and anchored a few miles from the light.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
We were the third from the van, and we all anchored within canister range.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
We lay-to off the Cape two days, and then ran into Gibraltar, and anchored.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
The ship had a good run from off Mahon to Leghorn where we anchored in the outer roads.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
We anchored first at the Rock, but next day crossed over to the Spanish coast.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for anchored

anchor

noun

any of several devices, usually of steel, attached to a vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict the vessel's movement

an object used to hold something else firmly in placethe rock provided an anchor for the rope

a source of stability or securityreligion was his anchor

a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
(as modifier)anchor bolt; anchor plate

the rear person in a tug-of-war team
short for anchorman, anchorwoman

at anchor (of a vessel) anchored

cast anchor, come to anchor or drop anchor to anchor a vessel

drag anchor See drag (def. 13)

ride at anchor to be anchored

weigh anchor to raise a vessel's anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure

verb

to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place

to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly

(tr) radio television to act as an anchorman on

See also anchors

Word Origin for anchor

Old English ancor, from Latin ancora, from Greek ankura; related to Greek ankos bend; compare Latin uncus bent, hooked

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for anchored

anchor

n.

Old English ancor, borrowed 9c. from Latin ancora "anchor," from or cognate with Greek ankyra "anchor, hook" (see ankle). A very early borrowing and said to be the only Latin nautical term used in the Germanic languages. The -ch- form emerged late 16c., a pedantic imitation of a corrupt spelling of the Latin word. The figurative sense of "that which gives stability or security" is from late 14c. Meaning "host or presenter of a TV or radio program" is from 1965, short for anchorman.

anchor

v.

c.1200, from anchor (n.). Related: Anchored; anchoring.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper