anchor

(nautical) A tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.

(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).

(nautical) The combined anchoring gear (anchor, rode, bill/peak and fittings such as bitts, cat, and windlass.)

(heraldry) Representation of the nautical tool, used as a heraldic charge.

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.

(Internet) A marked point in a document that can be the target of a hyperlink.

(television) An anchorman or anchorwoman.

(athletics) The final runner in a relay race.

(archery) A point that is touched by the draw hand or string when the bow is fully drawn and ready to shoot.

(economics) A superstore or other facility that serves as a focus to bring customers into an area.

(figuratively) That which gives stability or security.

(architecture) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.

(US) A screw anchor.

(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.

One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges.

One of the calcareous spinules of certain holothurians, as in species of Synapta.

(cartomancy) The thirty-fifth Lenormand card.

(obsolete) An anchorite or anchoress.

(slang) The brake of a vehicle.

(soccer) A defensive player, especially one who counters the opposition's best offensive player.

(climbing) A device for attaching a climber at the top of a climb, such as a chain or ring or a natural feature.