/ ɪnˈhɪbɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to prevent sth from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than normal :
A lack of oxygen may inhibit brain development in the unborn child.
2.
inhibit sb (from sth / from doing sth) to make sb nervous or embarrassed so that they are unable to do sth :
The managing director's presence inhibited them from airing their problems.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense forbid (a person) to do something ): from Latin inhibere hinder, from in- in + habere hold.