Weigh-anchor

noun
1.
any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.
2.
any similar device for holding fast or checking motion:
an anchor of stones.
3.
any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.
4.
any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.
5.
a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay:
Hope was his only anchor.
6.
Radio and Television. a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.
7.
Television. a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.
8.
a well-known store, especially a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located.
9.
Slang. automotive brakes.
10.
Military. a key position in defense lines.
11.
Also, anchorman. Sports.

the person on a team, especially a relay team, who competes last.
the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.

verb (used with object)
12.
to hold fast by an anchor.
13.
to fix or fasten; affix firmly:
The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.
14.
to act or serve as an anchor for:
He anchored the evening news.
verb (used without object)
15.
to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor:
The ship anchored at dawn.
16.
to keep hold or be firmly fixed:
The insect anchored fast to its prey.
17.
Sports, Radio and Television. to act or serve as an anchor.
Idioms
18.
at anchor, held in place by an anchor:
The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.
19.
drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.
20.
drop anchor, to anchor a vessel:
They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.
21.
weigh anchor, to raise the anchor:
We will weigh anchor at dawn.
verb (used with object)
1.
to determine or ascertain the force that gravitation exerts upon (a person or thing) by use of a balance, scale, or other mechanical device:
to weigh oneself; to weigh potatoes; to weigh gases.
2.
to hold up or balance, as in the hand, in order to estimate the weight.
3.
to measure, separate, or apportion (a certain quantity of something) according to weight (usually followed by out):
to weigh out five pounds of sugar.
4.
to make heavy; increase the weight or bulk of; weight:
We weighed the drapes to make them hang properly.
5.
to evaluate in the mind; consider carefully in order to reach an opinion, decision, or choice:
to weigh the facts; to weigh a proposal.
6.
Archaic. to raise, lift, or hoist (something).
7.
Obsolete. to think important; esteem.
verb (used without object)
8.
to have weight or a specified amount of weight:
to weigh less; to weigh a ton.
9.
to have importance, moment, or consequence:
Your recommendation weighs heavily in his favor.
10.
to bear down as a weight or burden (usually followed by on or upon):
Responsibility weighed upon her.
11.
to consider carefully or judicially:
to weigh well before deciding.
12.
(of a ship) to raise the anchor and get under way:
The ship weighed early and escaped in the fog.
Verb phrases
13.
weigh down,

to cause to become bowed under a weight:
snow and ice weighing down the trees.
to lower the spirits of; burden; depress:
This predicament weighs me down.

14.
weigh in,

(of a boxer or wrestler) to be weighed by a medical examiner on the day of a bout.
to be of the weight determined by such a weighing:
He weighed in at 170 pounds.
(of a jockey) to be weighed with the saddle and weights after a race.
Informal. to offer an opinion, advice, support, etc., especially in a forceful or authoritative way:
The chairman weighed in with an idea for the fundraiser.

15.
weigh out, Horse Racing.

to be weighed with the saddle and weights before a race.
to be of the weight determined by such a weighing.

Idioms
16.
weigh anchor, Nautical. to heave up a ship’s anchor in preparation for getting under way.
17.
weigh one’s words. word (def 29).
verb
1.
(transitive) to measure the weight of
2.
(intransitive) to have weight or be heavy: she weighs more than her sister
3.
(transitive) often foll by out. to apportion according to weight
4.
(transitive) to consider carefully: to weigh the facts of a case
5.
(intransitive) to be influential: his words weighed little with the jury
6.
(intransitive) often foll by on. to be oppressive or burdensome (to)
7.
(obsolete) to regard or esteem
8.
weigh anchor, to raise a vessel’s anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised preparatory to departure
noun
1.
under weigh, a variant spelling of under way
noun
1.
any of several devices, usually of steel, attached to a vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict the vessel’s movement
2.
an object used to hold something else firmly in place: the rock provided an anchor for the rope
3.
a source of stability or security: religion was his anchor
4.

a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
(as modifier): anchor bolt, anchor plate

5.

the rear person in a tug-of-war team
short for anchorman, anchorwoman

6.
at anchor, (of a vessel) anchored
7.
cast anchor, come to anchor, drop anchor, to anchor a vessel
8.
drag anchor, See drag (sense 13)
9.
ride at anchor, to be anchored
10.
weigh anchor, to raise a vessel’s anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure
verb
11.
to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place
12.
to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly
13.
(transitive) (radio, television) to act as an anchorman on

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 Heb. 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.”