anchor

Etymology 1

From Middle English anker, from Old English ancor, ancra, from Latin ancora, from (or cognate with) Ancient Greek ἄγκυρα (ánkura). The modern spelling is a sixteenth-century modification to better represent the Latin spelling anchora, a variant of the older Latin spelling ancora.

noun

1. (nautical) A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.
   Men that I knew around Wapatomac didn't wear high, shiny plug hats, nor yeller spring overcoats, nor carry canes with ivory heads as big as a catboat's anchor, as you might say. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 10, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
2. (nautical) An iron device so shaped as to grip the bottom and hold a vessel at her berth by the chain or rope attached. (FM 55-501).
3. (nautical) The combined anchoring gear (anchor, rode, bill/peak and fittings such as bitts, cat, and windlass.)
4. (heraldry) Representation of the nautical tool, used as a heraldic charge.
5. Any instrument serving a purpose like that of a ship's anchor, such as an arrangement of timber to hold a dam fast; a device to hold the end of a bridge cable etc.; or a device used in metalworking to hold the core of a mould in place.
6. (Internet) A marked point in a document that can be the target of a hyperlink.
7. (television) An anchorman or anchorwoman.
   Condoleezza Rice pops up on Fox to be told by the anchor: “When you invade a sovereign nation, that is a war crime.” 2022-03-17, Aditya Chakrabortty, “Western values? They enthroned the monster who is shelling Ukrainians today”, in The Guardian
8. (athletics) The final runner in a relay race.
9. (archery) A point that is touched by the draw hand or string when the bow is fully drawn and ready to shoot.
10. (economics) A superstore or other facility that serves as a focus to bring customers into an area.
    Supermarkets have also had to adjust. Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda have put a much greater emphasis on developing smaller high street stores or becoming anchors for mixed-used regeneration schemes […] 2006, Planning: For the Natural and Built Environment, numbers 1650-1666, page 15
    However, mall developers offer huge discounts to department stores because these anchors create traffic […] 2007, A. Sivakumar, Retail Marketing, page 102
11. (figurative) That which gives stability or security.
12. (architecture) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.
13. (US) A screw anchor.
14. (architecture) Carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor or arrowhead; part of the ornaments of certain mouldings. It is seen in the echinus, or egg-and-anchor (called also egg-and-dart, egg-and-tongue) ornament.
15. One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges.
16. One of the calcareous spinules of certain holothurians, as in species of Synapta.
17. (cartomancy) The thirty-fifth Lenormand card.
18. (obsolete) An anchorite or anchoress.
19. (slang) The brake of a vehicle.
    I saw Tim look back through the rear window of the cab and prayed he wouldn't do the first thing that came into his mind and step on the anchors. 1967, Terry Carr, New Worlds of Fantasy, Ace Books, page 56
    [Police:] ‘… when we blow the horn, you do an emergency stop.’ So the foaf did as he was bid and, hearing an almighty horn blast stepped on the anchors. There was a most tremendous crash as the Police car ran into the back of his Austin. 2005, urban legend, The Wordsworth Book of Urban Legend, Wordsworth Editions, page 150
    “Brake, brake, brake! You need to scrub off more speed before you enter the corner,” he explained, as I took his advice and jumped on the anchors. 2008, Gavin Haines, “Wheels on fire”, in Bournemouth Daily Echo
20. (soccer) A defensive player, especially one who counters the opposition's best offensive player.
    Phil Foden once again demonstrated his pedigree and will push for a start, while Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips will hope he has done enough to get a chance as a defensive midfield anchor if Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson fails to recover full fitness after groin surgery. 31 March 2021, Phil McNulty, “England 2-1 Poland: What shape are Gareth Southgate's side in?”, in BBC Sport
21. (climbing) A device for attaching a climber at the top of a climb, such as a chain or ring or a natural feature.

Etymology 2

From Middle English anchoren, ankeren, either from the noun or perhaps (via Old French ancrer) from a Medieval Latin verb ancorare, from the same Latin word ancora.

verb

1. To connect an object, especially a ship or a boat, to a fixed point.
2. To cast anchor; to come to anchor.
   Our ship (or the captain) anchored in the stream.
3. To stop; to fix or rest.
4. To provide emotional stability for a person in distress.
5. To perform as an anchorman or anchorwoman.
6. To be stuck; to be unable to move away from a position.
   It is an incredible tale and one that makes no sense on so many levels. Only two years ago Leicester were anchored to the foot of the Premier League and staring at the prospect of relegation to the Championship under Nigel Pearson. March 14, 2017, Stuart James, “Leicester stun Sevilla to reach last eight after Kasper Schmeichel save”, in the Guardian

Etymology 3

Alternative forms.

noun

1. Alternative form of anker