Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRO-HI-BI'TION, n. [Fr. from L. prohibitio.]

1. The act of forbidding or interdicting; a declaration to hinder some action; interdict. The law of God in the ten commandments consists mostly of prohibitions; “thou shalt not do such a thing.” – Tillotson.
2. In law, a writ of prohibition, is a writ issuing from a superior tribunal, directed to the judges of an inferior court, commanding them to cease from the prosecution of a suit. By ellipsis, prohibition is used for the writ itself. – Blackstone.