2. (Metaph.) To consider by a separate act of attention or analysis.
Sir W. Hamilton.
Pre*scind"ent (?), a. [L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr.
scire to know.] Cutting off; abstracting. [R.] Cheyne.
Pre"scious (pr"shs), a. [L. praescius; prae before + scius knowing, fr.
scire to know.] Foreknowing; having foreknowledge; as, prescious of
ills. [R.] Dryden.
Pre*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prescribed (?); p. pr & vb. n.
Prescribing.] [L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae before + scriebe to
write. See Scribe.]
1. To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of
action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to
direct.
Prescribe not us our duties.
Shak.
Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.
Dryden.
2. (Med.) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as, the
doctor prescribed quinine.
Syn. -- To appoint; order; command; dictate; ordain; institute;
establish.
Pre*scribe", v. i. 1. To give directions; to dictate.
A forwardness to prescribe to their opinions.
Locke.