Prescription
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA written instruction from a doctor or other medical professional authorizing a patient to receive a medication or treatment.
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
A written order for medicine or treatment.
The pharmacist filled the prescription for the pain medication.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're not feeling well. You go to the doctor, and they give you a piece of paper that tells the pharmacy what medicine you need to feel better. That piece of paper is a prescription!
👶 For kids: A paper from the doctor that tells the people at the pharmacy what medicine you need.
More Examples
Make sure you show the prescription to the doctor during your visit.
How It's Used
"The doctor wrote a prescription for antibiotics."
"The law set a prescription for how long a debt could be collected."
A directive or recommendation, often used in a less formal context than medical prescriptions.
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
A recommendation or directive.
The book offered a prescription for improving your writing skills.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend gives you advice on how to win a game. That advice could be a prescription for winning the game.
👶 For kids: A suggestion or rule to help someone do something.
More Examples
The government implemented a new prescription to address the economic crisis.
How It's Used
"The company's prescription for success included a focus on customer service."
"The prescription for how long a debt could be collected."
The acquisition of a right, such as ownership, by the passage of time, and in the manner defined by law.
/prɪˈskrɪpʃən/
A legal claim acquired through the passage of time.
The legal concept of prescription allows for the acquisition of rights through long-term use.
💡 Simply: If you use a shortcut across someone's land for many years, and no one stops you, you might eventually gain the right to use that shortcut. That's a kind of legal prescription.
👶 For kids: When you get to keep something because you've been using it for a very long time.
More Examples
The law of prescription established a time limit for legal claims.
How It's Used
"Adverse possession could be obtained through prescription."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
fill a prescription
To get medication from a pharmacy based on a prescription written by a doctor.
"I need to go to the pharmacy to fill the prescription."
expired prescription
A prescription that is no longer valid.
"The doctor could not fulfill the expired prescription."
off-label prescription
A prescription for a medication to treat a condition for which it is not specifically approved.
"The doctor made an off-label prescription to treat the patient."
From Late Latin *praescriptio* ('a writing beforehand, a direction, a rule'), from *praescribere* ('to write before, to prescribe'), from *prae* ('before') + *scribere* ('to write').
The word has been used since the 15th century, primarily in medical and legal contexts, evolving from the act of prescribing to the written document itself.
Memory tip
Think of a doctor's written 'instruction' for your health.
Word Origin
"to write before, prescribe"