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Webster 1913 Edition
Prescribe
Pre-scribe′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prescribed
; p. pr & vb. n.
Prescribing
.] 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.
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.
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.