inhibit

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

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

adjective

inhibitory

adjective

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).