| withhold | 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. "To withhold it the more easily in heart." (Chaucer) Origin: Withheld; Withheld, Withholden; Withholding] [With again, against, back + hold. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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