1. The act of prohibiting; a declaration or injunction forbidding some action; interdict. The law of God, in the ten commandments, consists mostly of prohibitions. Tillotson.
2. Specifically, the forbidding by law of the sale of alcoholic liquors as beverages. Writ of prohibition (Law), a writ issued by a superior tribunal, directed to an inferior court, commanding the latter to cease from the prosecution of a suit depending before it. Blackstone.
Note: By ellipsis, prohibition is used for the writ itself.
PROHIBITIONIST
Pro`hi*bi"tion*ist, n.
1. One who favors prohibitory duties on foreign goods in commerce; a protectionist.
2. One who favors the prohibition of the sale (or of the sale and manufacture) of alcoholic liquors as beverages.
PROHIBITIVE
Pro*hib"it*ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. prohibitif.]
Defn: That prohibits; prohibitory; as, a tax whose effect is prohibitive.
PROHIBITORY
Pro*hib"it*o*ry, a. Etym: [L. prohibitorius.]
Defn: Tending to prohibit, forbid, or exclude; implying prohibition; forbidding; as, a prohibitory law; a prohibitory price. Prohibitory index. (R. C. Ch.) See under Index.