pre·scrip·tion
(prĭ-skrĭṕshən)
[Middle English prescripcion, establishment of a claim, from Old French prescription, from Medieval Latin praescrīptiō, praescrīptiōn-, from Latin, introduction, precept, from praescrīptus past participle of praescrībere, to order; see prescribe.]
noun
- The act of establishing official rules, laws, or directions.
- Something prescribed as a rule.
- A written order, especially by a physician, for the preparation and administration of a medicine or other treatment.
- A prescribed medicine or other treatment.
- An ophthalmologist's or optometrist's written instruction, as for the grinding of corrective lenses.
- A formula directing the preparation of something.
- Law The process of acquiring title to property by reason of uninterrupted possession of specified duration. Also called positive prescription
- Law The limitation of time beyond which an action, debt, or crime is no longer valid or enforceable. Also called negative prescription