With‐hold″ (?), v. t. [imp.Withheld (?); p. p.Withheld, Obs. or ArchaicWithholden (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Withholding.] [With again, against, back + hold.]
1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep from action.
Withhold, O sovereign prince, your hasty hand
From knitting league with him. Spenser.
2. To retain; to keep back; not to grant; as, to withhold assent to a proposition.
Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold
Longer thy offered good. Milton.
3. To keep; to maintain; to retain.
To withhold it the more easily in heart. Chaucer.