v.
Pronunciation: with- ' h ō ld, wi th -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -held \ - ' held \ ; -hold · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from with from + holden to hold ― more at WITH
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to hold back from action : CHECK
2 archaic : to keep in custody
3 : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing < withhold permission>
4 : to deduct (withholding tax) from income
intransitive verb : FORBEAR , REFRAIN < withhold from commenting>
synonyms see KEEP
– with · hold · er noun