Prescribe vs Proscribe
prescribe
to recommend/order
proscribe
to forbid/ban
How to tell them apart
PREscribe = the doctor writes a PRESCRIPTION FOR you (recommend/order). PROscribe = PROhibit; it bans the thing. PRE = for you; PRO = prohibit.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
Citing severe side effects, the new health guidelines the drug entirely, barring physicians from offering it to any patient.
Choose: prescribe or proscribe
Show answer
Answer: proscribe
'barring physicians from offering it' explicitly means forbid (proscribe); prescribe would mean recommend, the opposite.
Question 2
After reviewing the test results, the physician chose to a mild antibiotic and advised rest for several days.
Choose: prescribe or proscribe
Show answer
Answer: prescribe
a physician ordering an antibiotic as treatment is prescribe; proscribe (ban) contradicts giving the medication.
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