HOLDFAST

fastener, fastening, holdfast, fixing

(noun) restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

holdfast (plural holdfasts)

Something to or by which an object can be securely fastened.

(biology) A root-like structure that anchors aquatic sessile organisms, such as seaweed, other sessile algae, stalked crinoids, benthic cnidarians, and sponges, to the substrate.

Hyponym: hapteron

(archaic, medicine) Actinomycosis.

Source: Wiktionary

Hold"fast`, n.

1. Something used to secure and hold in place something else, as a long fiat-headed nail, a catch a hook, a clinch, a clamp, etc.; hence, a support. "His holdfast was gone." Bp. Montagu.

2. (Bot.)

Definition: A conical or branching body, by which a seaweed is attached to its support, and differing from a root in that it is not specially absorbent of moisture.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition