ə̇nˈhibə̇t, usu -bə̇d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English inhibiten, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre, from in- in- (II) + -hibēre (from habēre to have, hold) — more at give
transitive verb
1. : to prohibit from doing something : forbid , interdict
inhibits the legislature from levying an income tax — Britannica Book of the Year
2.
a.
(1) : to repress, restrain, or discourage from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological impediments or conflicts or of social and cultural controls
inhibited from bold speculation by his personal loyalties and interests — V.L.Parrington
a people long inhibited by the prevailing taboos — R.S.Ellery
(2) : to operate against the full development or activity of : check, restrain, or diminish the force, intensity, or vitality of
inhibited the creative process at its sources — Harry Sylvester
the heavy tax load that inhibits investment in capital goods — Time
b.
(1) : to reduce or suppress the activity of
many of the iron or copper enzymes are inhibited by cyanides — Felix Haurowitz
lubricating oil inhibited against rust, corrosion, and oxidation
(2) : to retard or prevent the formation of
inhibit rust
(3) : to retard, interfere with, or prevent (a chemical process or reaction)
inhibit oxidation
intransitive verb
: to cause inhibition
something that entraps and inhibits — John Portz
Synonyms: see forbid , restrain