v.
1. tr. a advise the use of (a medicine etc.), esp. by an authorized prescription. b recommend, esp. as a benefit (prescribed a change of scenery).
2 tr. lay down or impose authoritatively.
3 intr. (foll. by to, for) assert a prescriptive right or claim.
Derivatives:
prescriber n.
Etymology: L praescribere praescript- direct in writing (as PRAE-, scribere write)