Held on to (7)
'held on to' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
'held on to' is the definition.
('keep' can be a synonym of 'hold on to')
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for kept that I've seen before include "Saved" , "Retained, held back" , "Looked after" , "Maintained, detained" , "Retained possession" .)
(Other definitions for clung that I've seen before include "Held on desperately" , "Was emotionally close" , "Held on tight" , "Held on tightly" .)