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Added 9 October 2026

inhibit

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ verb

Latin root: inhibitus Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about inhibit at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something.
Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs
Limit, block, or decrease the action or function of.
inhibit the action of the enzyme
Consciously restrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior.
suppress a smile

Origin

From Latin inhibitus, perfect passive participle of inhibeō (“to hold in, check, restrain”), from in (“in, at, on”), + habeō (“to have, hold, keep”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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