prescribe

[prɪˈskraɪb]

prescribe Definition

• 1. to order or recommend the use of a medicine, treatment, or remedy
• 2. to lay down rules as to what may be done or how something should be done

Using prescribe: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "prescribe" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The doctor prescribed antibiotics for my infection.

• Example

  The law prescribes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

• Example

  The company policy prescribes a dress code for all employees.

prescribe Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for prescribe

• order
• direct
• mandate
• instruct
• enjoin

Antonyms for prescribe

• forbid
• prohibit
• ban

Idioms Using prescribe

• prescribe to

  to subscribe to or follow a particular belief, ideology, or set of rules

  Example

  She prescribes to the philosophy that hard work pays off in the end.

• prescribe the solution

  to provide a specific answer or course of action to solve a problem

  Example

  The consultant prescribed the solution to the company's financial troubles.

• prescribe to the choir

  to express an opinion or idea to people who already agree with it

  Example

  The politician was just prescribing to the choir when he spoke at the rally.

Phrases with prescribe

• self-prescribed

  used to describe a medication or treatment that someone has chosen for themselves without consulting a doctor or medical professional

  Example

  She had been taking self-prescribed herbal supplements for her anxiety.

• prescribed burn

  a fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the amount of flammable material in a forest or grassland

  Example

  The park service conducted a prescribed burn to prevent wildfires from spreading.

• prescription drug

  a medicine that can only be obtained with a written order from a doctor or other healthcare professional

  Example

  He takes several prescription drugs to manage his chronic condition.

Origins of prescribe

from Latin 'praescribere', meaning 'to write before'

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Summary: prescribe in Brief

The verb 'prescribe' [prɪˈskraɪb] means to order or recommend the use of a medicine, treatment, or remedy, or to lay down rules as to what may be done or how something should be done. Examples include 'The doctor prescribed antibiotics for my infection.' and 'The company policy prescribes a dress code for all employees.' 'Prescribe' extends into phrases like 'self-prescribed,' and idioms like 'prescribe to the choir,' denoting expressing an opinion to those who already agree.