The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CONTROL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
O
N
T
R
O
L
More clues leading to the result CONTROL
- . Power of nature regularly infusing calmness
- Check company books with Rob endlessly
- Party time holding balloon in both hands? Check
- Hold back company books and most of inventory
- Manage to be relaxed, enjoying books and reading
- Aristocrat loses heart, following brief part in government
- Rein in power
- Work rule
- Authority is unenthusiastic about odd features of nature
- Trick by unwanted surfer endlessly achieving dominance
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Hold back" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case hold back = control.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CONTROL mean?
CONTROL noun- Influence or authority over something.
- A separate group or subject in an experiment against which the results are compared where the primary variable is low or non-existent.
- The method and means of governing the performance of any apparatus, machine or system, such as a lever, handle or button.
- Restraint or ability to contain one's movements or emotions, or self-control.
- A security mechanism, policy, or procedure that can counter system attack, reduce risks, and resolve vulnerabilities; a safeguard or countermeasure.
- (project management) A means of monitoring for, and triggering intervention in, activities that are not going according to plan.
- A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register.
- An interface element that a computer user interacts with, such as a window or a text box.
- Any of the physical factors determining the climate of a place, such as latitude, distribution of land and water, altitude, exposure, prevailing winds, permanent high- or low-barometric-pressure areas, ocean currents, mountain barriers, soil, and vegetation.
- A construction in which the understood subject of a given predicate is determined by an expression in context. See control.
- To exercise influence over; to suggest or dictate the behavior of.
- (construed with for) To design (an experiment) so that the effects of one or more variables are reduced or eliminated.