King James Bible Dictionary

From Acts 27:29, 30, 40, it would appear that the Roman vessels carried several anchors, which were attached to the stern as well as to the prow. The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. In Hebrews 6:19 the word is used metaphorically for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope.

"If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds."

General references
Acts 27:29-30

Figurative
Hebrews 6:19

(Acts 27:29)

AN'CHOR, noun [Latin anchora; Gr.]

1. An iron instrument for holding a ship or other vessel at rest in water. It is a strong shank, with a ring at one end, to which a cable may be fastened; and with two arms and flukes at the other end, forming a suitable angle with the shank to enter the ground.

In seamen's language, the anchor comes home, when it is dislodged from its bed, so as to drag by the violence of the wind, sea or current.

Foul anchor is when the anchor hooks or is entangled with another anchor or with a wreck or cable, or when the slack cable is entangled.

The anchor a cock bill, is when it is suspended perpendicularly from the cat head, ready to be let go.

The anchor a peek, is when it is drawn in so tight as to bring the ship directly over it.

The anchor is a trip, or a weigh, when it is just drawn out of the ground, in a perpendicular direction, either by the cable or the buoy-rope.

To back an anchor is to lay down a small anchor ahead of that by which the ship rides, with the cable fastened to the crown of the latter to prevent its coming home.

At anchor is when a ship rides by her anchor Hence, to lie or ride at anchor

To cast anchor or to anchor is to let go an anchor to keep a ship at rest.

To weigh anchor is to heave or raise the anchor out of the ground.

Anchors are of different sizes. The principal, and that on which most dependence is placed, is the sheet anchor Then come the best bower, the small bower, the space anchor the stream anchor and the kedge anchor which is the smallest.

2. In a figurative sense, that which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast. Hebrews 6:19.

3. In architecture, anchors are carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor It is commonly a part of the ornaments of the boultins of capitals in the Tuscan, Doric and Ionic orders, and on the moldings of cornices.

In heraldry, anchors are emblems of hope.

AN'CHOR, verb transitive

1. To place at anchor; to moor; as to anchor a ship.

2. To fix or fasten on; to fix in a stable condition

AN'CHOR, verb intransitive

1. To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship anchored off the isle of Wight.

2. To stop; to fix or rest on.

AN'CHORABLE, adjective Fit for anchorage. [Not used.]

AN'CHORAGE, noun

1. Anchor-ground; a place where a ship can anchor, where the ground is not too rocky, nor the water too deep nor too shallow.

2. The hold of a ship at anchor, or rather the anchor and all the necessary tackle for anchoring.

3. A duty imposed on ships for anchoring in a harbor.

AN'CHORED, participle passive Lying or riding at anchor; held by an anchor; moored; fixed in safety.

AN'CHORESS, noun A female anchoret.

AN'CHORET, or AN'CHORITE, noun [Gr. to retire and to go. Written by some authors, anachoret.]

AN'CHOR-GROUND, noun Ground suitable for anchoring.

AN'CHOR-HOLD, noun The hold or fastness of an anchor; security.

AN'CHORING, participle present tense Mooring; coming to anchor; casting anchor.

AN'CHORET, or AN'CHORITE, noun [Gr. to retire and to go. Written by some authors, anachoret.]

A hermit; a recluse; one who retires from society into a desert or solitary place, to avoid the temptations of the world and devote himself to religious duties. Also a monk, who, with the leave of the abbot, retires to a cave or cell, with an allowance from the monastery, to live in solitude.

AN'CHOR-SMITH, noun The maker or forger of anchors, or one whose occupation is to make anchors.