Entry Word: inhibit

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to create difficulty for the work or activity of <the cold inhibited her from getting much work done that morning> — see hamper
2 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) <laws designed to inhibit the powers of the intelligence organizations> — see control 1
3 to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action <the people were inhibited from asking too many questions of the candidate> — see discourage 2