anchor

[ang-ker] /ˈæŋ kər/
noun
1.
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.
2.
any similar device for holding fast or checking motion:
an anchor of stones.
3.
any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.
4.
any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.
5.
a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay:
Hope was his only anchor.
6.
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.
7.
Television. a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.
8.
a well-known store, especially a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located.
9.
Slang. automotive brakes.
10.
Military. a key position in defense lines.
11.
Also, anchorman. Sports.
  1. the person on a team, especially a relay team, who competes last.
  2. the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.
verb (used with object)
12.
to hold fast by an anchor.
13.
to fix or fasten; affix firmly:
The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.
14.
to act or serve as an anchor for:
He anchored the evening news.
verb (used without object)
15.
to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor:
The ship anchored at dawn.
16.
to keep hold or be firmly fixed:
The insect anchored fast to its prey.
17.
Sports, Radio and Television. to act or serve as an anchor.
Idioms
18.
at anchor, held in place by an anchor:
The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.
19.
drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.
20.
drop anchor, to anchor a vessel:
They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.
21.
weigh anchor, to raise the anchor:
We will weigh anchor at dawn.
Origin
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 forms
anchorable, adjective
anchorless, adjective
anchorlike, adjective
reanchor, verb
unanchored, adjective
well-anchored, adjective
Examples from the web for anchor
  • For one thing the yuan is not fully convertible, so it cannot be an anchor currency.
  • Two public broadcasting anchor chairs are getting new occupants.
  • One site under consideration could anchor a new campus.
  • Job shedding by state and local governments remains a huge anchor on the economy.
  • One of them is a reminder of my military service, an eagle globe and anchor.
  • He attaches two sizes of chain to form the anchor rode.
  • Plenty of tenured profs view their tenure as an anchor of sorts around their necks that prevent further career opportunities.
  • anchor the frame by bolting or pour concrete piles beforehand as you would for any fence.
  • Before dying, ants anchor themselves to the leaf, clamping their jaws on the edge or a vein on the underside.
  • The euro is working, in that it is stable, has established itself as a currency and provides a monetary anchor.
British Dictionary definitions for anchor

anchor

/ˈæŋkə/
noun
1.
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
2.
an object used to hold something else firmly in place: the rock provided an anchor for the rope
3.
a source of stability or security: religion was his anchor
4.
  1. a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
  2. (as modifier): anchor bolt, anchor plate
5.
  1. the rear person in a tug-of-war team
  2. short for anchorman, anchorwoman
6.
at anchor, (of a vessel) anchored
7.
cast anchor, come to anchor, drop anchor, to anchor a vessel
8.
drag anchor, See drag (sense 13)
9.
ride at anchor, to be anchored
10.
weigh anchor, to raise a vessel's anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure
verb
11.
to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place
12.
to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly
13.
(transitive) (radio, television) to act as an anchorman on
See also anchors
Word Origin
Old English ancor, from Latin ancora, from Greek ankura; related to Greek ankos bend; compare Latin uncus bent, hooked
Word Origin and History for 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.

v.

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

anchor in Technology


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anchor in the Bible

From Acts 27:29, 30, 40, it would appear that the Roman vessels carried several anchors, which were attached to the stern as well as to the prow. The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. In Heb. 6:19 the word is used metaphorically for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope. "If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds."