Holdfast
Pronunciation : Hold"fast`
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. Something used to secure and hold in place something else, as a long fiat-headed nail, a catch a hook, a clinch, a clamp, etc.; hence, a support. "His holdfast was gone." Bp. Montagu.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A conical or branching body, by which a seaweed is attached to its support, and differing from a root in that it is not specially absorbent of moisture.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913