Prescribe: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：give medication (prescribe)

prescribe 🔊

/prɪˈskraɪb/

When a doctor officially tells a patient to use a specific medicine or treatment, usually by writing it down on a prescription.

Doctor writing a medical prescription on a notepad, illustrating the verb prescribe.

give medication 🔊

➕

/ɡɪv ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/

To formally and officially authorize a patient to take a specific medication or treatment, typically by issuing a written order.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Primary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prae-' (before) + 'scribere' (to write), meaning 'to write before' as a formal command or rule.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a doctor writing PRE-medication instructions on a SCRIBbled notepad.

📖 Example

The doctor decided to prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. 🔊 The doctor decided to give the patient a prescription for antibiotics to treat the infection.

🔗 Collocations

prescribe medicine – To authorize the use of a specific pharmaceutical drug.

prescribe treatment – To officially recommend a particular course of medical therapy.

prescribe antibiotics – To order the use of antibacterial drugs for an infection.

🔄 Synonyms

recommend (v.) – To suggest a particular course of action, often based on professional judgment.

advise (v.) – To offer a suggestion or counsel, especially from a position of knowledge.

order (v.) – To give a formal command or instruction, often with authority.

🚫 Antonyms

forbid (v.) – To command someone not to do something.

prohibit (v.) – To formally forbid by law, rule, or authority.

🌱 Derivatives

prescription (n.) – A written order from a doctor for the preparation and use of a medicine.

prescriptive (adj.) – Relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'praescribere', which in law meant 'to write in front' as a heading, implying a formal directive. It evolved into its primary medical sense around the 16th century, embodying the authority of a professional order.