from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Withhold \With*hold"\, v. t. [imp. {Withheld}; p. p. {Withheld},
Obs. or Archaic {Withholden}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Withholding}.]
[With again, against, back + hold.]
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1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep from action.
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Withhold, O sovereign prince, your hasty hand
From knitting league with him. --Spenser.
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2. To retain; to keep back; not to grant; as, to withhold
assent to a proposition.
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Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold
Longer thy offered good. --Milton.
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3. To keep; to maintain; to retain. [Obs.]
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To withhold it the more easily in heart. --Chaucer.
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