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Prescribe vs Predetermine - What's the difference?

prescribe | predetermine |

As verbs the difference between prescribe and predetermine

is that prescribe is to order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient while predetermine is to determine or decide in advance.

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.

    Related terms

    * prescription * prescriptive * prescriptivism * prescriptivist

    See also

    * proscribe English transitive verbs ----

    predetermine

    English

    Verb

  • To determine or decide in advance.
  • To doom by previous decree; to foredoom.

    • Usage notes

    * The verb itself is not as common as the derived participial adjective predetermined.

    Synonyms

    * (determine in advance) (l), (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l) ----