oxygen-inhibiting
|ox-y-gen-in-hib-it-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑksɪdʒən ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈɒksɪdʒən ɪnˈhɪbɪtɪŋ/
blocks or prevents oxygen's effect
Etymology
'oxygen-inhibiting' is a modern English compound formed from the noun 'oxygen' and the present-participle form of the verb 'inhibit' ('inhibiting'), meaning 'preventing or restraining oxygen's action.'
'oxygen' was coined in the late 18th century (from French/modern Latin roots ultimately from Greek 'oxys' + 'genes'); 'inhibit' comes from Latin 'inhibēre' ('in-' + 'habēre'). The compound 'oxygen-inhibiting' is a descriptive technical formation from these established elements in modern English.
Initially 'oxygen' was named with the sense 'acid-forming' by early chemists, and 'inhibit' originally meant 'to hold in' or 'restrain' in Latin; together in modern technical use they evolved to mean 'preventing oxygen's interfering effect' in reactions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
describing a substance, coating, or process that prevents or reduces oxygen from interfering with a chemical reaction (commonly used for polymerization or curing reactions).
The oxygen-inhibiting varnish prevented surface tack during UV curing of the coating.
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Adjective 2
(broader) Describing an agent or additive that scavenges or otherwise neutralizes oxygen to protect a reaction or material.
An oxygen-inhibiting additive is often blended into adhesives used in anaerobic environments.
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Last updated: 2025/11/10 09:06