Try Our Apps


Pore Over vs. Pour Over


[pri-skrip-shuh n] /prɪˈskrɪp ʃən/
  1. a direction, usually written, by the physician to the pharmacist for the preparation and use of a medicine or remedy.
  2. the medicine prescribed:
    Take this prescription three times a day.
an act of prescribing.
that which is prescribed.
  1. Also called positive prescription. a long or immemorial use of some right with respect to a thing so as to give a right to continue such use.
  2. Also called positive prescription. the process of acquiring rights by uninterrupted assertion of the right over a long period of time.
  3. Also called negative prescription. the loss of rights to legal remedy due to the limitation of time within which an action can be taken.
(of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription; ethical.
Compare over-the-counter (def 2).
Origin of prescription
1250-1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin praescrīptiōn- (stem of praescrīptiō) legal possession (of property), law, order, literally, a writing before, hence, a heading on a document. See prescript, -ion Unabridged
Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for prescription
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples
British Dictionary definitions for prescription


  1. written instructions from a physician, dentist, etc, to a pharmacist stating the form, dosage strength, etc, of a drug to be issued to a specific patient
  2. the drug or remedy prescribed
(modifier) (of drugs) available legally only with a doctor's prescription
  1. written instructions from an optician specifying the lenses needed to correct defects of vision
  2. (as modifier): prescription glasses
the act of prescribing
something that is prescribed
a long established custom or a claim based on one
  1. the uninterrupted possession of property over a stated period of time, after which a right or title is acquired (positive prescription)
  2. the barring of adverse claims to property, etc, after a specified period of time has elapsed, allowing the possessor to acquire title (negative prescription)
  3. the right or title acquired in either of these ways
Word Origin
C14: from legal Latin praescriptiō an order, prescription; see prescribe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for prescription


Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
prescription in Medicine

prescription pre·scrip·tion (prĭ-skrĭp'shən)


  2. A prescribed medicine or other treatment.

  3. An ophthalmologist's or optometrist's written instruction, as for the grinding of corrective lenses.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Cite This Source

Word of the Day

Difficulty index for prescription

Many English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for prescription

Scrabble Words With Friends