anchor

an•chor

[[t]ˈæŋ kər[/t]] n.

1) naut. navig. a heavy device dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for restraining the motion of a vessel or other floating object

2) any similar device for holding fast or checking motion

3) a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay

4) sbz the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc

5) sbz a television program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned for the programs that follow

6) a well-known store, esp. a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located

7) spo

Also, anchorman

a) the person on a sports team, esp. a relay team, who competes last

b) the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team

8) anchors, sl. the brakes of an automobile

9) to hold fast by an anchor

10) to fix or fasten; affix firmly:

to anchor a button to a sleeve[/ex]

11) to act or serve as a radio or television anchor for:

to anchor the evening news[/ex]

12) naut. to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor

13) to keep hold or be firmly fixed

14) spo sbz to act or serve as a radio or television anchor

•

- at anchor

Etymology: bef. 900; OE ancor, ancer < L an-c(h)ora < Gk ánkȳra an′chor•a•ble, adj. an′chor•like`, adj.