inhibited
UK[ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd]US[ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪd]
adj
unable to express your feelings or behave naturally, especially in social situations
adj
(of an action or process) prevented from happening or made slower
Morpheme Breakdown
in
hibit
ed
in
in, into
hibit
hold, have
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'inhibited' originates from the latin verb inhibere, meaning 'to hold in, restrain, check'. this verb itself is a compound of the prefix in- (here conveying a sense of 'inwardly' or 'against') and the verb habēre (to have, hold). the core semantic logic is one of internal restraint or holding back. the past participle form inhibitus was adopted into english, with the '-ed' suffix solidifying its adjectival function. thus, the modern psychological sense of being emotionally 'held in' or restrained evolved directly from this literal notion of physical or legal prohibition.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, into) + hibit (hold, have) + ed (adjective suffix)
- in: latin prefix meaning 'in, into, on, against'. here it functions as an intensifier or negative force.
- hibit: from latin root habēre/habitus (to have, hold). in english spelling, it appears as 'hibit'.
- ed: old english suffix forming adjectives from past participles of verbs, indicating a state or condition.
Examples
she felt very inhibited about dancing in front of strangers.
his strict upbringing left him somewhat inhibited in his personal relationships.
the presence of light inhibited the growth of the fungus.