inhibiting
UK[ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ]US[ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ]
adj
having the effect of making someone feel shy, embarrassed, or unable to act or express themselves freely.
verb (present participle)
to prevent something from happening or make it happen more slowly or less frequently than normal.
verb (present participle)
to make someone feel nervous or embarrassed so that they are unable to do or say what they want.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
hibit
ing
in
in
hibit
hold
ing
present participle suffix
Etymology
the verb 'inhibit' originates from the latin inhibitus, the past participle of inhibere, meaning "to hold in, restrain". this latin verb is a compound of the intensive prefix in- (in, on) and habere (to have, hold). the core semantic logic is one of "holding in" or "holding back". this literal sense of physical restraint evolved metaphorically into the modern abstract meanings, which encompass both the psychological restraint of feelings or behavior and the scientific restraint of a process or reaction. the present participle/adjectival form 'inhibiting' directly inherits this dual sense of causing restraint, whether on a person's confidence or a chemical reaction's progress.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + hibit (hold) + ing (present participle suffix)
- in: latin origin, meaning "in, into, on". serves as an intensive prefix in this word.
- hibit: from latin habitus, the past participle stem of habere (to have, hold). serves as the core root meaning "to hold".
- ing: from old english -ende, present participle suffix. indicates an ongoing action or state.
Examples
the presence of so many senior managers was inhibiting for the junior staff during the brainstorming session.
the drug works by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria.
she found his critical gaze so inhibiting that she could barely finish her presentation.