Etymology Map
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Inhibit

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to hinder or restrain

Where does the word "inhibit" come from? It comes from Latin inhibere, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
inhibere
Latin · ancient
"to hold back"
'in-' plus 'habere', to hold
2
Stage 2 of 2
inhibit
English · 1400s
"to forbid"
psychological 'inhibitions' date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Inhibit’s story begins in Latin: inhibere meant “to hold back.” 'in-' plus 'habere', to hold. It reached English by 1400s as inhibit. Psychological 'inhibitions' date from the 1800s. Today, inhibit means to hinder or restrain.