hold back Copy link Outline I. Trans.1. rĕtĭneo, 22. rĕprĕhendo, 3 (to take hold of in order to check3. rĕvŏco, 1 (in fig. sense)II. Intrans.1. perh. grăvor, 1 (to make difficulties about doing anything)2. cunctor, 1 • hold back: I. Trans.: 1. rĕtĭneo, 2: to h. oneself back (in discourse), se ret., Cic. Leg. 1, 19, extr.: Virg. 2. rĕprĕhendo, 3 (to take hold of in order to check: rare in lit. sense): to h. back runaways with the hand, fugientes manu r., Liv. 34, 14. 3. rĕvŏco, 1 (in fig. sense): to h. any one back from crime, aliquem a scelere r., Cic. Cat. 3, 5, 10 (but the verb implies that the thing is already entered upon): cf. id. Clu. 5, 12. II. Intrans.: to show hesitation: 1. perh. grăvor, 1 (to make difficulties about doing anything): cf. Cic. Clu. 25, 69, sed primo gravari coepit ... post exoratus, he at first (affected to) h. back ... afterwards was prevailed upon: I would not h. back, if I had confidence in myself, ego non gravarer, si mihi ipse confiderem, Cic. Am. 5, init. Comp. the use of the adv. gravate, Cic. Off. 3, 14, 59, gravate ille primo, he at first (pretends to) h. back. 2. cunctor, 1: v. to hesitate.