Main Entry: in·hib·it

Pronunciation: \in-ˈhi-bət\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre, from in- ²in- + habēre to have — more at habit

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to prohibit from doing something
2 a : to hold in check : restrain b : to discourage from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraintsintransitive verb : to cause inhibition

synonyms see forbid

— in·hib·i·tive \-bə-tiv\ adjective

— in·hib·i·to·ry \-bə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective