inhibit

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

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Definition of inhibit

verb (inhibits, inhibiting, inhibited)

1 [with object] hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process):cold inhibits plant growth
chiefly Physiology & Biochemistry (of a substance) slow down or prevent (a process, reaction, or function) or reduce the activity of (an enzyme or other agent).

2make (someone) self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed and natural way:they felt inhibited by the presence of healthcare professionals

3(in ecclesiastical law) forbid (a member of the clergy) to exercise clerical functions.

Derivatives

inhibitive
inhibitory

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'forbid (a person) to do something'): from Latin inhibere 'hinder', from in- 'in' + habere 'hold'

Spelling rule

Do not double the final consonant when adding endings which begin with a vowel to a word which ends in a vowel plus a consonant, if the stress is not at the end of the word (as in target): (inhibits, inhibiting, inhibited).

inhibit in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of inhibit in the US English dictionary

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Other

inhibit

verb (inhibits, inhibiting, inhibited)

Derivatives

inhibitive

inhibitory

Origin:

Spelling rule

inhibit in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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