• IPA: /pɹɪˈskɹaɪb/
• (distinguished from proscribe) IPA: /ˈpɹiːˌskɹaɪb/

prescribe (prescribes, present participle prescribing; past and past participle prescribed)

1. (medicine) To order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient (under licensed authority).

   The doctor prescribed aspirin.

2. To specify by writing as a required procedure or ritual; to lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action.

   The property meets the criteria prescribed by the regulations.

   • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act I, scene i]:

     Prescribe not us our duties.

   • Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.

• prescription
• prescriptionist
• prescriptive
• prescriptivism
• prescriptivist

• proscribe

• French: prescrire, indiquer, ordonner
• German: verschreiben, verordnen
• Italian: prescrivere, ordinare
• Portuguese: prescrever, receitar
• Russian: пропи́сывать
• Spanish: prescribir, recetar

• French: prescrire, ordonner
• German: vorschreiben, verordnen
• Italian: prescrivere, ordinare
• Portuguese: prescrever, ordenar
• Russian: предпи́сывать
• Spanish: prescribir, ordenar