prohibit

/prō-ˈhi-bət/

Middle English, from Latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibēre to keep off, from pro- forward + habēre to hold

verb

  1. to forbid by authority : enjoin

  2. to prevent from doing something

  3. preclude

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.