proscriptive

American  

[proh-skrip-tiv] / proʊˈskrɪp tɪv /

adjective

1. involving, imposing, or defining limits or prohibitions.

   We want the guidelines to be useful, broadly applicable, and not overly proscriptive and narrow.

   Rather than a proscriptive diet, in which the patient is limited to eating certain foods and measured portions, we encourage eating a wide range of foods in moderation.

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Other Word Forms

• nonproscriptive adjective
• nonproscriptively adverb
• proscriptively adverb
• unproscriptive adjective
• unproscriptively adverb

Etymology

Origin of proscriptive

First recorded in 1740–50; from Latin prōscript-, stem of prōscrībere “to publish in writing” ( proscribe ( def. ) ) + -ive ( def. )

Example Sentences

But the prohibitive costs and proscriptive laws sometimes mean there’s no choice at all.

From Slate

Viewed this way, minding our p’s and q’s is less about proscriptive notions of correctness, and more about mindfulness, self-discovery and proper conduct.

From Seattle Times

But it’s to Leaf’s credit that there’s nothing simplistic, and certainly nothing proscriptive, about how that closure takes place.

From Los Angeles Times

I don't want to be too proscriptive to what listeners should be seeing or feeling or thinking.

From Salon

I think the beginning was a long time ago for anything and everything, so the first step is never proscriptive or formulated.

From New York Times

Related Words

• excessive
• exorbitant
• preposterous
• steep