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.
© Webster 1913.