Inhibit \In*hib"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inhibited; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Inhibiting.] [L. inhibitus, p. p. of inhibere; pref.
   in- in + habere to have, hold. See Habit.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To check; to hold back; to restrain; to hinder.
      [1913 Webster]

            Their motions also are excited or inhibited . . . by
            the objects without them.             --Bentley.
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   2. To forbid; to prohibit; to interdict.
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            All men were inhibited, by proclamation, at the
            dissolution, so much as to mention a Parliament.
                                                  --Clarendon.
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            Burial may not be inhibited or denied to any one.
                                                  --Ayliffe.
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   3. (Chem., Biochem.) To cause the rate of (a chemical or
      biochemical reaction) to proceed slower, or to halt; as,
      vitamin C inhibits oxidation; penicillins inhibit
      bacterial cell wall synthesis.
      [PJC]

   4. To restrain (a behavior) by a mechanism involving
      conscious or unconscious motivations.
      [PJC]

inhibiting \inhibiting\ adj.
   discouraging (a person) from action by threat of punishment;
   as, an overly strict or inhibiting discipline.

   Syn: inhibitory, repressive, repressing.
        [WordNet 1.5]