Pronunciation: [hˈə͡ʊld ˈə͡ʊpən] (IPA) 
The correct spelling for "hold open" is /həʊld ˈəʊpən/. The first word "hold" is spelled with an "o" and a "d" to represent the sound /həʊld/ which is a long "o" sound followed by the sound /d/. The second word "open" is spelled with an "o" and an "e" to represent the sound /ˈəʊpən/ which is a long "o" sound followed by a short "e" sound. This phrase is commonly used to refer to keeping a door or gate open.
Hold open is a phrasal verb that refers to the action of maintaining or causing something to remain in an open position or a state of being accessible. It denotes the act of keeping a door, gate, or any other opening device in a position that allows unrestricted passage or entrance. This can be accomplished by using various methods or devices, such as wedges, physical barriers, or mechanical supports.
The phrase can also be used figuratively to describe the act of ensuring the uninterrupted availability or accessibility of something, such as an opportunity or access to information. It implies the intentional effort to keep pathways open, allowing for continued communication, engagement, or participation.
Hold open can also be employed to describe the process of sustaining a legal, temporary postponement or delay. In this context, it refers to a legal mechanism that prevents or suspends the enforcement of a particular action, such as a court order or a judgment.
Furthermore, hold open can be used to express the physical act of manually grasping or gripping an object, person, or animal in order to prevent them from closing, collapsing, or falling. In this context, it alludes to the action of maintaining a firm grip or pressure to keep something secure or prevent its movement.
Overall, hold open encompasses the notion of maintaining or ensuring an open state, whether it be regarding physical access, availability, legal postponement, or physical control.
The word "hold open" is a compound verb formed by combining the words "hold" and "open".
The word "hold" originated from the Old English word "haldan", which means "to keep, possess, or retain". This Old English term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "haldanan" and the Proto-Indo-European root "kel-", meaning "to hold" or "to conceal".
On the other hand, the word "open" came from the Old English word "openian", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "opanojan" and the Proto-Indo-European root "upo-", meaning "over" or "up". This root evolved into "op-", which signifies "in front of" or "against", and "open" ultimately came to mean "not closed or sealed".
