prescribed

[pri-skrahybd]

adjective

1. dictated or indicated as a rule or course of action to be followed.

   To limit your definition of art to certain prescribed forms is to cut yourself off from the bulk of human existence.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  (of a medicine, treatment, etc.) recommended or ordered by a qualified practitioner.

   Test results for legal or prescribed drugs are returned in about two minutes.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of prescribe.

Other Word Forms

• nonprescribed adjective
• self-prescribed adjective
• unprescribed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prescribed¹

prescribe ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

You can follow all the rules and exist within society’s prescribed norms and limits, and still stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time and be forced to run for your life.

From Salon

However, the agency will reduce some work related to fire prevention, including prescribed burns and the treatment of vegetation to reduce fire risk.

From Los Angeles Times

There's this much reported case of a woman who suffered from convulsions after taking a medicine for diabetes which had a similar sounding name to an analgesic she had been prescribed.

From BBC

Ms Steer believes that many women are not listened to and are prescribed the pill for their pain, instead of health professionals investigating the cause.

From BBC

But quietly, in certain circles, this injectable drug, which is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, was being prescribed privately and off-label for weight loss.

From BBC

Related Words

• arbitrary 
• recommended www.thesaurus.com