from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Withstand \With*stand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Withstood}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Withstanding}.] [AS. wi[eth]standan. See {With},
prep., and {Stand}.]
To stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical
or moral force; as, to withstand an attack of troops; to
withstand eloquence or arguments. --Piers Plowman.
[1913 Webster]
I withstood him to the face. --Gal. ii. 11.
[1913 Webster]
Some village Hampden, that, with dauntless breast.
The little tyrant of his fields withstood. --Gray.
[1913 Webster]