Ascribe vs Prescribe - What's the difference?
ascribe | prescribe |
To attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something.
To attribute a book, painting or any work of art or literature to a writer or creator.
To order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient.
To specify as a required procedure or ritual; to lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action.
* Shakespeare
* Dryden
As verbs the difference between ascribe and prescribe
is that ascribe is to attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something while prescribe is to order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient.ascribe
English
Verb
(ascrib)- One may ascribe these problems to the federal government; however, at this stage it is unclear what caused them.
- It is arguable as to whether we can truly ascribe this play to Shakespeare.
Synonyms
* attribute * imputeDerived terms
* ascribableAnagrams
* ----prescribe
English
Alternative forms
* (archaic)Usage notes
* The pronunciation with the stressed first syllable is normally used only when added distinction from (proscribe) is required.Verb
(prescrib)- The doctor prescribed aspirin.
- Prescribe not us our duties.
- Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.
