I.to write before, in front, or previously, to prefix in writing (syn.: praefinio, praestituo).
I. Lit.: “pagina nomen sibi quae Vari praescripsit,” Verg. E. 6, 11: “monimentis consulum nomina,” Tac. A. 3, 57; cf.: “praescriptum (sc. in signis) Vespasiani nomen,” id. H. 3, 13: “nomen ipsius virtutis libro,” Gell. 11, 16, 7: “epistula, cui titulus praescriptus est, pluria non plura dici debere,” id. 5, 21, 10: “auctoritates praescriptae,” the recorded names of senators present when a decree was made, Cic. de Or. 3, 2, 5: “ut praescripsimus,” as we remarked before, Vell. 2, 21, 1.—
B. Transf., to trace out: “praescripta lineamenta,” Plin. 35, 10, 36, § 92.—
II. Trop.
A. To order, appoint, direct, command, prescribe: “finem rebus,” Ter. And. 1, 1, 124: “sic enim praescripsimus iis, quibus ea negotia mandavimus, ut, etc.,” Cic. Fam. 13, 26, 2: “cum ei praescriptum esset, ne, etc.,” id. Att. 16, 3, 6: “iis praescribendus est imperandi modus,” id. Leg. 3, 2, 5: “lege aliquid,” id. Clu. 53, 147: “si ipse populo Romano non praescriberet, quemadmodum suo jure uteretur, etc.,” Caes. B. G. 1, 36: “quid fieri oporteret, ipsi sibi praescribere poterant,” id. ib. 2, 20: “ut majorum jura moresque praescribunt,” Cic. Font. 16, 36: “curationem valetudinis,” id. Div. 2, 59, 123: “jura civibus,” id. Sen. 9, 27: “senatui quae sunt agenda,” id. ib. 6, 18: “praescribere et constituere aliquid,” id. Caecin. 27, 76: “praescribere aliquid et quasi imperare,” id. Ac. 2, 3, 8: “praescriptis verbis agendum est,” Dig. 19, tit. 19, 2.—
B. In law, to bring an exception against, to except, object, or demur to: “ignominioso patri filius praescribit,” Quint. 7, 5, 3; Dig. 47, 15, 3.—
C. To dictate: “carmina,” Tib. 4, 1, 177.—
D. To write down, put down in writing: “testamentum litteris,” Dig. 29, 1, 40.—
E. (I. q. praetexere, obtentui sumere.) To use as a pretext: “aliquem,” Tac. A. 4, 52; 11, 16; cf. praescriptio, II. A.—
F. To describe or depict beforehand: “tum (Nero) formam futuri principatūs praescripsit,” Tac. A. 13, 4.—Hence, praescriptum , i, n., something prescribed, a copy, task, lesson to imitate or to get by heart (class.).
B. Trop.
1. A precept, order, rule: “praescripta candida supremae calcis, i. e. metae,” Lucr. 6, 92: “omnia legum imperio et praescripto fieri videbitis,” Cic. Clu. 53, 147; so, “legis,” Suet. Claud. 14; Amm. 14, 1, 5; 29, 1, 27: “praescripta servare,” Cic. Off. 1, 26, 92: “ad praescriptum,” according to order, Caes. B. G. 1, 36; id. B. C. 3, 51; Liv. 10, 22: “ex communi praescripto civitatis,” Cic. Inv. 2, 45, 132; cf.: “ex Augusti praescripto,” Suet. Ner. 10: “hoc ejus praescripto,” Caes. B. C. 1, 87 fin.: ultra praescriptum, beyond or contrary to rule, irregularly, illegally, Suet. Caes. 28.—
2. The prescribed limits or bounds: “intra praescriptum equitare,” Hor. C. 2, 9, 23.
