1. The act of inhibiting, or the state of being inhibited; restraint; prohibition; embargo.
2. (Physiol.)
Defn: A stopping or checking of an already present action; a restraining of the function of an organ, or an agent, as a digestive fluid or ferment, etc.; as, the inhibition of the respiratory center by the pneumogastric nerve; the inhibition of reflexes, etc.
3. (Law)
Defn: A writ from a higher court forbidding an inferior judge from further proceedings in a cause before; esp., a writ issuing from a higher ecclesiastical court to an inferior one, on appeal. Cowell.
INHIBITOR
In*hib"i*tor, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: That which causes inhibitory action; esp., an inhibitory nerve.
INHIBITORY
In*hib"i*to*ry, a. Etym: [LL. inhibitorius: cf. F. inhibitoire.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to, or producing, inhibition; consisting in inhibition; tending or serving to inhibit; as, the inhibitory action of the pneumogastric on the respiratory center. I would not have you consider these criticisms as inhibitory. Lamb. Inhibitory nerves (Physiol.), those nerves which modify, inhibit, or suppress a motor or secretory act already in progress.
INHIBITORY-MOTOR
In*hib"i*to*ry-mo"tor, a. (Physiol.)