vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING1.] The action of the verb WITHHOLD: retention, restraint, keeping back, etc.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 267. How I shal gouerne me in the chesynge and in the withholdynge of my conseillours.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 116. Broodnesse of brest, and greetnesse of sholdres … by-tokyns … hardynesse, with witholdynge of wyt, and vndyrstondynge.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. lii. (1869), 96. So is to me an hevy blok the bodi, and a gret withholdinge.
1440–1. Privy Counc. Proc. (P.R.O.). Thendentures of his withholdyng bitwix the Kyng and him.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 351. That they shulde receyue the tythys … with-out ony with-holdynge.
1454. Rolls of Parlt., V. 254/1. That a notable some of monneye bee to me delivered … for the witholding and contenting of such Souldeours.
1526. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 518/2. Thair tressonable assegeing, taking and withhalding of the Kingis castell.
a. 1651. C. Love, Combat Flesh & Spirit (1654), 41. The withholdings of the Spirit.
1705. Stanhope, Paraphr., II. 350. His very Withholdings and Delays are kindly meant.
1837. Lockhart, Scott, IV. i. 18. The withholding of the avowal.
a. 1861. Clough, Poems, Uranus, 3. The … blank profound, Which … holds All knowledge, ever by withholding holds.
1884. Law Times Rep. (N.S.), LI. 242/2. If a party … obtains the sanction of the court by withholding information which is material … such withholding amounts to fraud.
So withholding ppl. a., that withholds.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, IV. xiii. (1869), 183. Withholdinge, and ful of cley, and … glewy is þilke.
1898. W. Sharp, in Fortn. Rev., Aug., 305. The eternal duel between the desiring flesh and the withholding spirit is interpreted anew.
