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Prescribe vs Legislate - What's the difference?

prescribe | legislate | Synonyms |

Prescribe is a synonym of legislate.


As verbs the difference between prescribe and legislate

is that prescribe is to order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient while legislate is to pass laws (including the amending or repeal of existing laws).

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 ----

    legislate

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To pass laws (including the amending or repeal of existing laws).
    • ''If they can't get people to do the right thing by talking then they will try to legislate it, then they can try to enforce the statutes.

    Derived terms

    * legislation * legislative * legislator * legislature