inhibit

/in-ˈhi-bət/

Middle English, from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre, from in- + habēre to have

verb

  1. to prohibit from doing something

  2. to hold in check : restrain

  3. to discourage from free or spontaneous activity especially through the operation of inner psychological or external social constraints

forbid prohibit interdict inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done. forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected. prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.