Lexic.us

Definition of Anchor

1. Noun. A mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving.

2. Verb. Fix firmly and stably. "Anchor the lamppost in concrete"

3. Noun. A central cohesive source of support and stability. "He is the linchpin of this firm"

4. Verb. Secure a vessel with an anchor. "We anchored at Baltimore"

5. Noun. A television reporter who coordinates a broadcast to which several correspondents contribute.

Definition of Anchor

1. 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.

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

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

4. n. An anchoret.

Definition of Anchor

1. Noun. (nautical) A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement. ¹

2. Noun. (nautical) Generic term to refer to the combined anchoring gear (anchor, rode, and fittings such as bitts, cat, and windlass.) ¹

3. Noun. A fixed point, especially materials or tools used to affix something at that point. ¹

4. Noun. (Internet) A marked point in a document that can be the target of a hyperlink. ¹

5. Noun. (television) An anchorman or anchorwoman. ¹

6. Verb. To hold an object, especially a ship or a boat to a fixed point. ¹

7. Verb. To provide emotional stability for a person in distress. ¹

8. Verb. To perform as an anchorman. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Anchor

1. to secure by means of an anchor (a device for holding a floating vessel in place) [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Anchor

1. 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. The common anchor consists of a straight bar called a shank, having at one end a transverse bar called a stock, above which is a ring for the cable, and at the other end the crown, from which branch out two or more arms with flukes, forming with the shank a suitable angle to enter the ground. Formerly the largest and strongest anchor was the sheet anchor (hence, Fig, best hope or last refuge), called also waist anchor. Now the bower and the sheet anchor are usually alike. Then came the best bower and the small bower (so called from being carried on the bows). The stream anchor is one fourth the weight of the bower anchor. Kedges or kedge anchors are light anchors used in warping. 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. That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul." (Heb. Vi. 19) 4. An emblem of hope. 5. A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together. 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. 6. One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta. Anchor ice. See Ice. Anchor ring. The crossbar at the top of the shank at right angles to the arms. The anchor comes home, when it drags over the bottom as the ship drifts. Foul anchor, the anchor when it hooks, or is entangled with, another anchor, or with a cable or wreck, or when the slack cable entangled. The anchor is acockbill, when it is suspended perpendicularly from the cathead, ready to be let go. The anchor is apeak, when the cable is drawn in do tight as to bring to ship directly over it. The anchor is atrip, or aweigh, when it is lifted out of the ground. The anchor is awash, when it is hove up to the surface of the water. At anchor, anchored. To back an anchor, to increase the holding power by laying down a small anchor ahead of that by which the ship rides, with the cable fastened to the crown of the latter to prevent its coming home. To cast anchor, to drop or let go an anchor to keep a ship at rest. To cat the anchor, to hoist the anchor to the cathead and pass the ring-stopper. To fish the anchor, to hoist the flukes to their resting place (called the bill-boards), and pass the shank painter. To weigh anchor, to heave or raise the anchor so as to sail away. Origin: OE. Anker, AS. Ancor, oncer, L. Ancora, sometimes spelt anchora, fr. Gr, akin to E. Angle: cf. F. Ancre. See Angle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Anchor Pictures

Click the following link to bring up a new window with an automated collection of images related to the term: Anchor Images

Lexicographical Neighbors of Anchor

ancestrall ancestrally ancestress ancestresses ancestrial ancestrie ancestries ancestrix ancestry anchal

anchals anchient anchimeric ancho anchor (current term) anchor's aweigh anchor babies anchor baby anchor buoy anchor chain

anchor ice anchor light anchor line anchor pylon anchor ring anchor splint anchorable anchorage anchorage dependence

Literary usage of Anchor

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"A clerk in Plymouth Yard, named Pering, in the early part of that century (1813) introduced curved arms; and after 1851 the Admiralty anchor, under the ..."

2. A Dictionary of Architecture and Building, Biographical, Historical, and by Russell Sturgis (1901)
"Star anchor. An anchor used as a tie-rod, having a star-shaped head or ... Wall anchor. One for tying parts of masonry work together ; generally at the ..."

3. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"The stream anchor is used in a river or sheltered place where a large anchor is ... The stern anchor is stowed in the stern, and is employed with a bower ..."

4. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Court of King's Bench: With by Richard Vaughan Barnewall, Great Britain Court of King's Bench, Edward Hall Alderson, William Selwyn (1821)
"As to the ship's anchor, in sub- stance the patent is, for making in one entire piece, that which formerly was made in two. ..."

5. Punch by Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman (1870)
"And with its anchor fixed 'em, Till our DIZZY and your GLADSTONE Once property made voters, God rid of that betwixt 'em : And landed qualification, ..."

Other Resources Relating to: Anchor