Instruct vs Prescribe - What's the difference?
instruct | prescribe |
(label) to teach by giving instructions
(label) to direct; to order (usage note : "instruct" is less forceful than "order", but weightier than "advise")
(label) arranged; furnished; provided
* Chapman
(label) instructed; taught; enlightened
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 instruct and prescribe
is that instruct is (label) to teach by giving instructions while prescribe is to order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient.As a noun instruct
is (label) instruction.As an adjective instruct
is (label) arranged; furnished; provided.instruct
English
Verb
(en verb)Synonyms
* guideAdjective
(-)- (Milton)
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.