be·hold / biˈhōld/ • v. (past and past part. -held / -ˈheld/ ) [tr.] [often in imper.] archaic or poetic/lit. see or observe (a thing or person, esp. a remarkable or impressive one): behold your king! the botanical gardens were a wonder to behold.DERIVATIVES: be·hold·er n.ORIGIN: Old English bihaldan, from bi- ‘thoroughly’ + haldan ‘to hold.’

behold OE. beh(e)aldan = OS. bihaldan, OHG. bihaltan (G. behalten keep); see BE- and HOLD. Eng. alone has the sense ‘watch, look’, the cogn. languages only ‘keep, maintain’.