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Webster 1913 Edition


Prescribe

Pre-scribe′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prescribed
;
p. pr & vb. n.
Prescribing
.]
[L.
praescribere
,
praescriptum
;
prae
before +
scriebe
to write. See
Scribe
.]
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.
Prescribe
not us our duties.
Shakespeare
Let streams
prescribe
their fountains where to run.
Dryden.
2.
(Med.)
To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the doctor prescribed quinine.
Syn. – To appoint; order; command; dictate; ordain; institute; establish.

Pre-scribe′

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To give directions; to dictate.
A forwardness to
prescribe
to their opinions.
Locke.
2.
To influence by long use
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
3.
(Med.)
To write or to give medical directions; to indicate remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.
4.
(Law)
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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Prescribe

PRESCRI'BE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. proescribo, to write before.]
1.
In medicine, to direct, as a remedy to be used or applied to a diseased patient. Be not offended with the physician who prescribes harsh remedies.
2.
To set or lay down authoritatively for direction; to give as a rule of conduct; as, to prescribe laws or rules.
There's joy, when to wild will you laws prescribe.
3.
To direct.
Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.

PRESCRI'BE

,
Verb.
I.
To write or give medical directions; to direct what remedies are to be used; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.
1.
To give law; to influence arbitrarily.
A forwardness to prescribe to the opinions of others.
2.
In law, to claim by prescription; to claim a title to a thing by immemorial use and enjoyment; with for. A man may be allowed to prescribe for a right of way, a common or the like; a man cannot prescribe for a castle; he can prescribe only for incorporeal hereditaments.
3.
To influence by long use.

Definition 2024


prescribe

prescribe

English

Alternative forms

Verb

prescribe (third-person singular simple present prescribes, present participle prescribing, simple past and past participle prescribed)

  1. To order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient.
    The doctor prescribed aspirin.
  2. To specify as a required procedure or ritual; to lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action.
    The property meets the criteria prescribed by the regulations.
    • William Shakespeare
      Prescribe not us our duties.
    • John Dryden
      Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.

Related terms

Translations

See also


Spanish

Verb

prescribe

  1. Informal second-person singular () affirmative imperative form of prescribir.
  2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present indicative form of prescribir.
  3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present indicative form of prescribir.