ANCHOR

n. heavy object placed in the water in order to hold boats in place; main broadcaster on a TV or radio program, broadcaster; source of security or stability, refuge; text used as the start or end of a hypertext link (Internet)

v. attach firmly, fasten tightly; drop an anchor (from a boat)

An anchor is a heavy object, often made out of metal, that is used to attach a ship to the bottom of a body of water at a specific point. There are two primary classes of anchors—temporary and permanent. A permanent anchor is often called a mooring, and is rarely moved; it is quite possible the vessel cannot hoist it aboard but must hire a service to move or maintain it. A temporary anchor is usually carried by the vessel, and hoisted aboard whenever the vessel is under way; it is what most non-sailors mean when they refer to an anchor. A sea anchor is a related device used when the water depth makes using a mooring or temporary anchor impractical. The hole through which an anchor rope passes is known as a hawsepipe.
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Noun
1. a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
(synonym) ground tackle
(hypernym) hook, claw
(hyponym) grapnel, grapnel anchor
(part-holonym) vessel, watercraft
(part-meronym) fluke, flue
(derivation) cast anchor, drop anchor
2. a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm"
(synonym) mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin
(hypernym) support
(derivation) ground
3. a television reporter who coordinates a broadcast to which several correspondents contribute
(synonym) anchorman, anchorperson
(hypernym) television reporter, television newscaster, TV reporter, TV newsman
Verb
1. fix firmly and stably; "anchor the lamppost in concrete"
(synonym) ground
(hypernym) fasten, fix, secure
(derivation) mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin
2. secure a vessel with an anchor; "We anchored at Baltimore"
(synonym) cast anchor, drop anchor
(hypernym) fasten, fix, secure
(derivation) ground tackle

n. width, breadth; fullness; comfort

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

(v. t.)
To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.
  

(v. i.)
To stop; to fix or rest.
  

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

(n.)
One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta.
  

(n.)
Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.
  

(n.)
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.
  

(n.)
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.
  

(n.)
An emblem of hope.
  

(n.)
An anchoret.
  

(n.)
A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.
  

(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.