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   anchor

   /ˈaŋkə/

   noun

   • 1. a heavy object attached to a cable or chain and used to moor a ship to the sea bottom, typically having a metal shank with a pair of curved, barbed flukes at one end: "the boat, no longer held fast by its anchor, swung wildly"
   • ▪ a person or thing that provides stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation: "the European Community is the economic anchor of the New Europe" Similar mainstaycornerstonebulwarkchief supportmain source of stability/securityfoundationproplinchpin
   • ▪ a large and prestigious department store prominently sited in a new shopping centre.
   • ▪ the brakes of a car: informal British "this idiot in front slammed on his anchors at a crossing"
   • 2. an anchorman or anchorwoman: North American "he signed off after nineteen years as CBS news anchor" Similar announceranchormananchorwomannewscasterbroadcasterreporterpresenternewsreader

   verb

   • 1. moor (a ship) to the sea bottom with an anchor: "the ship was anchored in the lee of the island" Similar moorberthharbourbe at anchortie upcast anchordrop anchor
   • ▪ secure firmly in position: "the tail is used as a hook with which the fish anchors itself to coral" Similar securefastenattachmake fastconnectbindaffixfix
   • ▪ provide with a firm basis or foundation: "it is important that policy be anchored to some acceptable theoretical basis"
   • 2. present and coordinate (a television or radio programme): North American "she anchored a television documentary series in the early 1980s"

   Word Origin Old Englishancor, ancra, via Latin from Greek ankura; reinforced in Middle English by Old French ancre. The current form is from anchora, an erroneous Latin spelling. The verb (from Old French ancrer) dates from Middle English.

   Scrabble Points: 11

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