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.

An organ of a benthic alga that attaches the alga to the seafloor.

A specialized structure that attaches a thallus to the substrate. It may consist of a secreted substance with a characteristic shape, or the entire basal cell of the thallus (the holdfast cell) may be modified for attachment.

Something used to secure and hold in place something else, as a long flat-headed nail, a catch a hook, a clinch, a clamp, etc.; hence, a support.

something that holds, such as a hook, clamp or bolt.

Polymers excreted by living organisms that mediate a stable interaction between the organism and a solid substratum. Examples of holdfast molecules excreted by microorganisms include pili, fimbriae, stalks, and exopolysaccharides.

The thickened border created along the edges of the insole by the inseam threads. [Goubitz, 2001