definition of
hold out

[1] #1 hold out v. thrust or extend out; "He held out his hand"; "point a finger"; "extend a hand"; "the bee exserted its sting". wn

[2] #2 hold out v. stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something. wn

[3] #3 hold out v. last and be usable; "This dress wore well for almost ten years". wn

[4] #4 hold out v. wait uncompromisingly for something desirable; "He held out for the dessert and did not touch the cheeses". wn

[5] #5 hold out v. continue to live through hardship or adversity; "We went without water and food for 3 days"; "These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"; "The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents"; "how long can a person last withou. wn