There are new threats to the dictator's hold on power.
Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "hold" as used in the sentence above?

Question

There are new threats to the dictator's hold on power.
Which of the following dictionary definitions corresponds with "hold" as used in the sentence above?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Based on the context of the sentence, we can infer that hold here means "a continued state of doing or having something" because the hold on power is being threatened.
Gripping something in the hand is incorrect. One of the meanings of hold is "to grip something in the hand." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here.
A storage area in a plane or ship is incorrect. One of the meanings of hold is "an storage area in a plane or ship." However, from the context of the target sentence, we can infer that the word is not used that way here.
A space dug into the ground is incorrect. When placed in the context of the target sentence, this answer choice does not make sense. Therefore, it cannot be a correct answer choice.

There Are New Threats to the Dictator's Hold on Power