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Ascribe vs Prescribed - What's the difference?

ascribe | prescribed |

As verbs the difference between ascribe and prescribed

is that ascribe is to attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something while prescribed is past tense of prescribe.

ascribe

English

Verb

(ascrib)
  • To attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something.
  • One may ascribe these problems to the federal government; however, at this stage it is unclear what caused them.
  • To attribute a book, painting or any work of art or literature to a writer or creator.
  • It is arguable as to whether we can truly ascribe this play to Shakespeare.

    Synonyms

    * attribute * impute

    Derived terms

    * ascribable

    Anagrams

    * ----

    prescribed

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (prescribe)

  • 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)
  • To order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient.
  • The doctor prescribed aspirin.
  • To specify as a required procedure or ritual; to lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Prescribe not us our duties.
  • * Dryden
  • Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.

    See also

    * proscribe English transitive verbs ----