Prescribe
/prɪˈskraɪb/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo officially recommend or order the use of something, especially a medicine or a course of action.
/prɪˈskraɪb/
To recommend or authorize the use of a medicine or treatment.
The doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're sick, and the doctor tells you exactly what medicine to take and how much. That's prescribing! It's like giving a specific instruction for how to get better.
👶 For kids: When a doctor tells you what medicine to take to feel better, they're prescribing it.
More Examples
The regulations prescribe specific safety measures.
The guidelines prescribe how the project should be managed.
How It's Used
"The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection."
"The law prescribes the punishment for theft."
To lay down or impose as a rule or guide; to dictate or set forth authoritatively.
/prɪˈskraɪb/
To set down a rule or principle; dictate.
The law prescribes a minimum age for driving.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're writing the rules for a game. When you write down those rules, you're prescribing how the game should be played. It's about setting a standard or guideline.
👶 For kids: When someone makes the rules or says what's allowed, they're prescribing it.
More Examples
The company policy prescribes the dress code.
The contract prescribes the terms of payment.
How It's Used
"The constitution prescribes the powers of the government."
"Moral codes prescribe how we should behave."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
prescribe for
To recommend a remedy or course of action for someone.
"The doctor prescribed for the patient's headaches."
prescribe a course of action
To lay down a plan for how something should be handled.
"The government prescribed a course of action to deal with the economic crisis."
From Latin *praescrībere* 'to write before, direct', from *prae-* 'before' + *scrībere* 'to write'.
Historically, *prescribe* was used both in medical and legal contexts, and the core meaning of directing or ordering has remained consistent.
Memory tip
Think of a *pre-* written *scribe* - the doctor writes the prescription *before* you take it.
Word Origin
"'to write before, direct'"