From Acts 27:29, 30, 40, it would appear that the Roman vessels carried several anchors, which were attached to the stern as well as to the prow. The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. In Hebrews 6:19 the word is used metaphorically for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope.

"If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds."

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A iron instrument which is attached to a ship by a cable (rope or chain), and which, being cast overboard, lays hold of the earth by a fluke or hook and thus retains the ship in a particular station.

2. (n.) Any instrument or contrivance serving a purpose like that of a ship's anchor, as an arrangement of timber to hold a dam fast; a contrivance to hold the end of a bridge cable, or other similar part; a contrivance used by founders to hold the core of a mold in place.

3. (n.) Fig.: That which gives stability or security; that on which we place dependence for safety.

4. (n.) An emblem of hope.

5. (n.) A metal tie holding adjoining parts of a building together.

6. (n.) Carved work, somewhat resembling an anchor or arrowhead; -- a part of the ornaments of certain moldings. It is seen in the echinus, or egg-and-anchor (called also egg-and-dart, egg-and-tongue) ornament.

7. (n.) One of the anchor-shaped spicules of certain sponges; also, one of the calcareous spinules of certain Holothurians, as in species of Synapta.

8. (v. t.) To place at anchor; to secure by an anchor; as, to anchor a ship.

9. (v. t.) To fix or fasten; to fix in a stable condition; as, to anchor the cables of a suspension bridge.

10. (v. i.) To cast anchor; to come to anchor; as, our ship (or the captain) anchored in the stream.

11. (v. i.) To stop; to fix or rest.

12. (n.) An anchoret.