inhibit

[ in-hib-it ]
/ ɪnˈhɪb ɪt /

verb (used with object)

to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.).
to prohibit; forbid.
Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior).
Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction).

Origin of inhibit

1425–75; late Middle English inhibiten < Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre to restrain, equivalent to in- in-2 + -hibēre, combining form of habēre to have, hold

OTHER WORDS FROM inhibit

Example sentences from the Web for inhibit

British Dictionary definitions for inhibit

inhibit
/ (ɪnˈhɪbɪt) /

verb -its, -iting or -ited (tr)

to restrain or hinder (an impulse, a desire, etc)
to prohibit; forbid
to stop, prevent, or decrease the rate of (a chemical reaction)
electronics
  1. to prevent the occurrence of (a particular signal) in a circuit
  2. to prevent the performance of (a particular operation)

Derived forms of inhibit

inhibitable, adjective inhibitive or inhibitory, adjective

Word Origin for inhibit

C15: from Latin inhibēre to restrain, from in- ² + habēre to have

Medical definitions for inhibit

inhibit
[ ĭn-hĭbĭt ]

v.

To hold back; restrain.
To suppress or restrain a behavioral process, an impulse, or a desire consciously or unconsciously.
To prevent or decrease the rate of a chemical reaction.
To decrease, limit, or block the action or function of something in the body, as an enzyme or organ.

Other words from inhibit

in•hibi•to′ry (-tôr′ē) adj.