HOLD FORTH

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does hold forth mean? 

• HOLD FORTH (verb)
  The verb HOLD FORTH has 1 sense:

1. talk at length and formally about a topic

  Familiarity information: HOLD FORTH used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOLD FORTH (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Talk at length and formally about a topic

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

discourse; dissertate; hold forth

Context example:

The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England

Hypernyms (to "hold forth" is one way to...):

speak; talk (exchange thoughts; talk with)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s on something

 Context examples 

"Yes, Mother, I'm sure of that," said Meg, listening respectfully to the little lecture, for the best of women will hold forth upon the all absorbing subject of house keeping.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I began, by being singularly cheerful and light-hearted; all sorts of half-forgotten things to talk about, came rushing into my mind, and made me hold forth in a most unwonted manner.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Alleyne might talk to her of the stories of old gods and heroes, of gallant deeds and lofty aims, or he might hold forth upon moon and stars, and let his fancy wander over the hidden secrets of the universe, and he would have a rapt listener with flushed cheeks and eloquent eyes, who could repeat after him the very words which had fallen from his lips.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)