photoinhibition

P3H4O1T1O1I1N1H4I1B3I1T1I1O1N1

noun

The inhibition of photosynthesis caused by protein damage due to high levels of light (especially ultraviolet)

OriginEnglish inhibition ← Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos →
RareScrabble 25
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Meanings

nounphotoinhibition (plural photoinhibitions)

plural photoinhibitions

  1. biochemistryThe inhibition of photosynthesis caused by protein damage due to high levels of light (especially ultraviolet)

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
  4. Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
  5. Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
  6. Ancient Greekφωτο- (phōto-)
  7. Englishphoto-
  8. Englishinhibition
  9. Englishphotoinhibition

From photo- + inhibition.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

photoinhibition. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photoinhibition

MLA

“photoinhibition.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photoinhibition. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “photoinhibition,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photoinhibition.

Source: photoinhibition on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.