With*hold" (?), v. t. [imp.
Withheld (?); p. p. Withheld, Obs. or
Archaic Withholden (?); 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.
[Obs.]
To withhold it the more easily in heart.
Chaucer.