Inhibition

Inhibition (Lat. inhibitio, from inhibeo, restrain) is in some churches "a writ by which an inferior is commanded by a superior ecclesiastical authority to stay the proceedings in which it is engaged. Thus, if a member of a college appeals to the visitor, the visitor inhibits all proceedings against the appellant until the appeal is determined. When the archbishop visits, he inhibits the bishop of the diocese; when the bishop visits, he inhibits the archdeacon; which inhibitions continue in force until the last parish is visited. If a lapse happens while the inhibition is in force against the bishop, the archbishop must institute; institution by the bishop would be void, as his power is suspended."