Prescribe vs Rescribe - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between prescribe and rescribe

is that prescribe is to order (a drug or medical device) for use by a particular patient while rescribe is to write back; to write in reply.

* (archaic)

* The pronunciation with the stressed first syllable is normally used only when added distinction from (proscribe) is required.

(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.

(rescrib)

(obsolete) To write back; to write in reply.

(Ayliffe)

(obsolete) To write out again; to rewrite.

(Howell)

(Webster 1913) ----