inhibitor

/ɪnˈhɪbɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈhɪbɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈhi-bə-tər/ (ame, mw)

inhibitor — 名詞

  • inhibitorsingular
  • inhibitorsplural

1. A person, thing, or condition that keeps an activity or development from moving

1.名詞C1
釋義

阻礙因素

會拖慢進展的人事物或條件

A person, thing, or condition that keeps an activity or development from moving ahead as quickly as it otherwise would.

例句

Late permit checks became an inhibitor to the housing project this spring.

許可文件審查拖延，成了這個春天住宅計畫的阻礙因素。

pattern: inhibitor to + project / plan / growth

For many small shops, high rent is the biggest inhibitor to growth.

對許多小店來說，高房租是成長最大的阻礙因素。

同義詞
  • barrier

    often suggests a stronger obstacle that blocks movement or progress more completely

  • obstacle

    broader and less formal; can refer to any difficulty in the way

  • brake

    often figurative and usually stresses slowing something rather than stopping it entirely

反義詞
  • catalyst

    something that helps a process move faster or start more easily

  • driver

    a force that pushes change or growth forward

文法句型

an inhibitor to + noun

act as an inhibitor to + noun

the main inhibitor of + noun

用法筆記

This broad sense is often used for a factor that slows plans, progress, or change. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is a chemical substance, and sense 3, which belongs to genetics.

2. A substance used to slow a chemical reaction down or to stop it from taking plac

2.名詞C1
釋義

抑制劑

用來減慢或阻止反應的物質

A substance used to slow a chemical reaction down or to stop it from taking place at all.

例句

The lab added an inhibitor to keep the enzyme from breaking down the drug.

實驗室加入抑制劑，避免該酶把藥物分解掉。

pattern: add an inhibitor to keep ... from ...

This paint contains a rust inhibitor for metal gates near the sea.

這種油漆含有防鏽抑制劑，適合海邊的金屬大門。

compound noun: rust inhibitor

同義詞
  • blocker

    less technical and often used in medical names such as beta blocker

  • suppressant

    often stresses reducing activity or growth rather than one specific reaction

  • agent

    broader scientific term for a substance that causes an effect

反義詞
  • catalyst

    a substance that makes a reaction happen faster

  • activator

    something that increases activity instead of reducing it

文法句型

add an inhibitor to + process

enzyme / acid / rust + inhibitor

contain an inhibitor

用法筆記

This technical sense usually names the process or substance being blocked, as in 'enzyme inhibitor' or 'acid inhibitor'. Unlike sense 1, it refers to a physical substance rather than a general limiting factor.

3. In genetics, a gene whose presence keeps a second gene from showing its normal r

3.名詞C2
釋義

抑制基因

會壓住另一基因作用的基因

In genetics, a gene whose presence keeps a second gene from showing its normal result.

例句

The study found an inhibitor gene that stops the flower from turning blue.

這項研究發現了一種抑制基因，會阻止花朵轉成藍色。

compound noun: inhibitor gene

If the inhibitor is active, the second gene stays silent.

如果抑制基因處於活化狀態，第二個基因就會保持沉默。

pattern: the inhibitor is active

同義詞
  • suppressor gene

    more specific genetics term for a gene that reduces another gene's visible effect

  • repressor

    technical term often used when gene activity is being turned down or blocked

反義詞
  • activator gene

    a gene that helps another gene switch on or work more strongly

文法句型

inhibitor gene

the inhibitor is active

remove an inhibitor gene

用法筆記

This sense belongs to genetics and is usually discussed with inherited traits or gene activity. Distinguish it from sense 2, where an inhibitor is a chemical substance rather than a gene.