Definition of inhibitor

The word "inhibitor" has its origins in the Latin phrase "inhibere," which means "to hold back" or "to restrain." This Latin phrase is a combination of "in-" (meaning "not" or "opposite of") and "hibere" (meaning "to hold" or "to receive"). In the 15th century, the word "inhibitor" was borrowed into Middle English from Old French, where it was spelled "inhibitour." Initially, the term referred to a person or thing that restrained or checked the action of another. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to encompass a broader range of contexts, including chemistry and biology, where an inhibitor is a substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction or biological process. Today, the word "inhibitor" is widely used in various fields, including chemistry, biology, medicine, and psychology, to describe substances or factors that modulate the activity of other substances or processes.