prescribe

Everyday

1. When a doctor prescribes a medicine, they say officially which medicine you should take, how much and how often. tree →
2. (formal) To say officially what must be done; to set a rule: The rules prescribe a uniform. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons only a doctor can prescribe certain medicines, and you must never take medicine prescribed for someone else. In maths problems a doctor prescribes «2 tablets, 3 times a day for 5 days» — multiply: 2 × 3 × 5 = 30 tablets. In formal exam or rule language, «the prescribed method» means the method you are told to use. Phrases: «prescribe medicine», «prescribed dose», «as prescribed», «prescribed by law».

Examples

• The doctor prescribed some cream for my rash. tree →
• Take the medicine exactly as prescribed. tree →
• She was prescribed 2 tablets a day for 7 days — how many tablets is that? tree →
• Never take medicine prescribed for someone else. tree →
• The vet prescribed drops for the cat's eyes. tree →
• The rules prescribe a time limit of one hour. tree →
• Use the prescribed method to solve the equation. tree →
• The doctor prescribed rest and plenty of water. tree →
• A Fox asked him, “How can you pretend to prescribe for others, when you are unable to heal your own lame gait and wrinkled skin?” tree →

Note

Regular verb: prescribed. Noun: prescription (the paper or order). Trap: prescribe (a doctor orders) vs proscribe (to forbid) — almost opposite. In dose problems: total = dose × times per day × number of days.

In Jewish tradition

To prescribe is to set a rule. The king of Persia orders gifts for the Temple without setting a limit on salt.

Interpretation. Tradition sees the king's gift as God turning a ruler's heart to help rebuild the Temple.

Examples

• unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. (Writings EZR.7.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: prescribed. Noun: prescription (the paper or order). Trap: prescribe (a doctor orders) vs proscribe (to forbid) — almost opposite. In dose problems: total = dose × times per day × number of days.