v.
Pronunciation: pri- ' skr ī b
Function: verb
Inflected Form: pre · scribed ; pre · scrib · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin praescribere to write at the beginning, dictate, order, from prae- + scribere to write ― more at SCRIBE
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1 : to lay down a rule : DICTATE
2 [ Middle English, from Medieval Latin praescribere, from Latin, to write at the beginning] : to claim a title to something by right of prescription
3 : to write or give medical prescriptions
4 : to become by prescription invalid or unenforceable
transitive verb
1 a : to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action : ORDAIN b : to specify with authority
2 : to designate or order the use of as a remedy < prescribed a painkiller> <a prescribed burn to restore natural forest conditions>
– pre · scrib · er noun