hold (n./v.)

A term used in describing the ARTICULATION of some types of sound, where the VOCAL ORGANS maintain their position for a definable period, as in the CLOSURE (or holding) stage in the production of a PLOSIVE or a long CONSONANT.

In the PHONOLOGICAL analysis of SIGN language, a term referring to a static functional unit; also called location. Holds are distinguished from dynamic units, known as movements.