Definition of prescribe

The word "prescribe" has its roots in the Latin phrase "praescribere," which means "to write beforehand." This Latin phrase is a combination of "prae," meaning "before" or "prior," and "scribere," meaning "to write." In the 14th century, the word "prescribe" entered the English language, initially meaning "to write beforehand" or "to write a precept or rule." Over time, its meaning evolved to include the sense of "to direct or order as a physician" or "to give a formal direction or recommendation." In the medical context, a physician prescribes treatment or medication for a patient, writing down the instructions beforehand. This sense of prescribing authority or direction has expanded beyond medicine to include other fields, such as law and education, where prescribers provide guidelines or rules for others to follow.