/ prɪˈskrɪptɪv; NAmE / adjective
1.
( formal ) telling people what should be done :
prescriptive methods of teaching
2.
( linguistics ) telling people how a language should be used, rather than describing how it is used
OPP descriptive
3.
( technical ) ( of rights and institutions ) made legal or acceptable because they have existed for a long time :
prescriptive powers
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 18th cent.: from late Latin praescriptivus relating to a legal exception, from praescript- directed in writing, from the verb praescribere direct in writing, from prae before + scribere write.