WITHHAULT

WITHHOLD

With*hold", v. t. [imp. Withheld; p. p. Withheld, Obs. or Archaic Withholden (; p. pr. & vb. n. Withholding.] Etym: [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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition