Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-SCRIBE', v.t. [L. præscribo, to write before.]

1. In medicine, to direct, as a remedy to be used or applied to a diseased patient. Be not offended with the physician who prescribes harsh remedies.
2. To set or lay down authoritatively for direction; to give as a rule of conduct; as, to prescribe laws or rules. There's joy, when to wild will you laws prescribe. – Dryden.
3. To direct. Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run. – Dryden.