withhold
verb
- to refrain from or deduct, holding back
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /wɪθˈhəʊld/ / /wɪðˈhəʊld/ / /wɪθˈhoʊld/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English withholden. Equivalent to with- + hold.
- An immoral action or condition (an overt) that has not been disclosed to others; the consciousness of such an action or condition.
“I was afraid to go into review for the help I needed because of the withholds I had against the organization, withholds acquired at the franchise: our late evening discussions, our kidding around at the expense of other Scientologists.”
“Dianetics is concerned with purifying the individual of negative emotions, evil spirits, overts, and withholds.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English withholden. Equivalent to with- + hold.
- To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
“The bank withheld her credit card.”
- To keep (information, assent etc) to oneself rather than revealing it.
“withhold vital information”
“a withheld phone number”
- To stay back, to refrain.
“I’ll withhold from asking about it.”
“Do you wish to proceed with those down the line in that order? […] We’ll withhold for now.”