Edit page | Page history | Printable version

prescribe

1. To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct. To influence by long use

2. (Science: pharmacology) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed. To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.

3. To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that is, by a custom having the force of law.

Synonym: To appoint, order, command, dictate, ordain, institute, establish.

Origin: L. Praescribere, praescriptum; prae = before, scriebe = to write.