Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prescribe"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Prescribe \Pre*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prescribed}; p. pr
& vb. n. {Prescribing}.] [L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae
before + scriebe to write. See {Scribe}.]
1. To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule
of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to
appoint; to direct.

Prescribe not us our duties. --Shak.

Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.
--Dryden.

2. (Med.) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as,
the doctor prescribed quinine.

Syn: To appoint; order; command; dictate; ordain; institute;
establish.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Prescribe \Pre*scribe"\, v. i.
1. To give directions; to dictate.

A forwardness to prescribe to their opinions.
--Locke.

2. To influence by long use [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.

3. (Med.) To write or to give medical directions; to indicate
remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.

4. (Law) To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a
thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that
is, by a custom having the force of law.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

prescribe
v : issue commands or orders for [syn: {order}, {dictate}]

Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup

Enter word here:
Exact Approx

dict.stokkie.net
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents; see the Webster Gateway FAQ, and also the Back-end/database links and credits.