See Also: prescribe(medicine)
prescribe(dictionary)
prescribe(dictionary)

prescribe (iou)



prescribe verb. LME.
[Latin praescribere write before, direct in writing, etc., from prae PRE- + scribere write.]
I. Law.
verb trans. Hold or claim by prescription. rare. LME-E17.
verb intrans. Make a claim on the basis of prescription; assert a prescriptive right or claim (to, for, that). M16.
J. Williams A man might..prescribe that he and his ancestors had..exercised a certain right.
verb intrans. Of a person: plead prescription of time against an action etc.; cease to be liable through lapse of time. L16-L17.
verb intrans. Scots Law. (Of an action) suffer prescription; lapse through passage of time; (of a claim, debt, etc.) cease to be capable of prosecution. E17.
Times In the law of Scotland..heritable rights..did not prescribe unless there had been adverse possession.
II.
verb trans. Limit, restrict; confine within bounds. LME.
a. verb trans. Write or lay down as a rule or direction; impose authoritatively; appoint, dictate, direct. L15.
W. S. Churchill He made no attempt to prescribe the succession. P. Roth The gate..other than the one prescribed for tourists.
b. verb intrans. Lay down rules. M16.
American Speech A modern dictionary that describes but does not prescribe.
verb trans. Write first or beforehand; write with foreknowledge. M16-M17.
verb trans. & (now rare) intrans. Advise or order the use of (a medicine, remedy, etc.), esp. by an authorized prescription; fig. recommend as something beneficial. Also foll. by double obj.: advise or order (a person) to take (a medicine etc.). L16.
J. Herriot I prescribed a kaolin antacid mixture. M. Roberts Dr Felton prescribed me a different tonic.
prescribable adjective M20.
prescriber noun a person who prescribes M16.