inhibition

:  the act or an instance of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited: asa (1):  a stopping or checking of a bodily action :  a restraining of the function of an organ or an agent (as a digestive fluid or enzyme) inhibition of the heartbeat by stimulation of the vagus nerve inhibition of plantar reflexes (2):  interference with or retardation or prevention of a process or activity inhibition of bacterial growthb (1):  a desirable restraint or check upon the free or spontaneous instincts or impulses of an individual guided or directed by the social and cultural forces of the environment the self-control so developed is called inhibition—C. W. Russell (2):  a neurotic restraint upon a normal or beneficial impulse or activity caused by psychological inner conflicts or by sociocultural forces of the environment other outspoken neurotic manifestations are general inhibitions such as inability to think, to concentrate—Muriel Ivimey inhibitions, phobias, compulsions, and other neurotic patterns—Psychological Abstracts