The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inhibit \In*hib"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inhibited; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Inhibiting.] [L. inhibitus, p. p. of inhibere; pref.
   in- in + habere to have, hold. See Habit.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To check; to hold back; to restrain; to hinder.
      [1913 Webster]

            Their motions also are excited or inhibited . . . by
            the objects without them.             --Bentley.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To forbid; to prohibit; to interdict.
      [1913 Webster]

            All men were inhibited, by proclamation, at the
            dissolution, so much as to mention a Parliament.
                                                  --Clarendon.
      [1913 Webster]

            Burial may not be inhibited or denied to any one.
                                                  --Ayliffe.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Chem., Biochem.) To cause the rate of (a chemical or
      biochemical reaction) to proceed slower, or to halt; as,
      vitamin C inhibits oxidation; penicillins inhibit
      bacterial cell wall synthesis.
      [PJC]

   4. To restrain (a behavior) by a mechanism involving
      conscious or unconscious motivations.
      [PJC]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

inhibit
    v 1: to put down by force or authority; "suppress a nascent
         uprising"; "stamp down on littering"; "conquer one's
         desires" [syn: suppress, stamp down, inhibit,
         subdue, conquer, curb]
    2: limit the range or extent of; "Contact between the young was
       inhibited by strict social customs"
    3: limit, block, or decrease the action or function of; "inhibit
       the action of the enzyme"; "inhibit the rate of a chemical
       reaction"
    4: control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires,
       impulses, or behavior [syn: inhibit, bottle up,
       suppress]