proscribe

American  

[proh-skrahyb] / proʊˈskraɪb /

verb (used with object)

proscribed, proscribing

1. to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.

   Synonyms:

   repudiate, disapprove, censure

2. to put outside the protection of the law; outlaw.

3. to banish or exile.

4. to announce the name of (a person) as condemned to death and subject to confiscation of property.

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proscribe British  

/ prəʊˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to condemn or prohibit

2. to outlaw; banish; exile

3. (in ancient Rome) to outlaw (a citizen) by posting his name in public

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Other Word Forms

• proscribable
  adjective
• proscriber
  noun
• unproscribable
  adjective
• unproscribed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of proscribe

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prōscrībere to publish in writing, confiscate, outlaw. See pro- ¹, prescribe

Explanation

To proscribe something is to forbid or prohibit it, as a school principal might proscribe the use of cell phones in class. Proscribe sounds similar to the word prescribe, but be careful: these words are essentially opposite in meaning. While proscribe means forbid, prescribe is used when a doctor recommends a medicine or remedy. Of course, if you want an excuse for not following your doctor’s orders, you could say you were confused about the meaning of these two words — but that would be lying, which is proscribed by most people’s value systems. And it would also be bad for your health.

Example Sentences

Proscribe, prō-skrīb′, v.t. to publish the names of persons to be punished: to put beyond the protection of law: to banish: to prohibit: to denounce, as doctrine.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Proscribe forever, I pray you, such enormous authority, which was the doom of Rome.

From Simon Bolivar, the Liberator by Sherwell, Guillermo A.

Related Words

• forbid
• outlaw
• prohibit