n. 1 the act or an instance of forbidding; a state of being forbidden. 2 Law a an edict or order that forbids. b a writ from a superior court forbidding an inferior court from proceeding in a suit deemed to be beyond its cognizance. 3 (usu. Prohibition) the prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol, esp. in the US (1920-33). prohibitionary adj. prohibitionist n.
[ ME f. OF prohibition or L prohibitio (as PROHIBIT) ]