forhold

Meaning

Verb

• To detain, hold back, or hold up (someone or something); also, to retain or withhold (something).

Origin

• + healdan (from Proto-West Germanic *haldan, from Proto-Germanic *haldaną; further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel-). The English word is analysable as for- + hold, and is cognate with Danish forholde, Dutch verhouden, Low German vorholden, German verhalten, Norwegian forholde.