I. A writing before or in front, a prefixing in writing; hence, meton., a title, inscription, preface, introduction, commencement: “praescriptio legis,” Cic. Agr. 2, 9, 22: “tribuniciae potestatis,” Tac. A. 1, 7.—
II. Trop.
A. A pretext, excuse, pretence: “ut honestā praescriptione rem turpissimam tegerent,” Caes. B. C. 3, 32.—
B. A precept, order, rule, law: “dummodo illa praescriptio moderatioque teneatur,” Cic. Cael. 18, 42: “hanc normam, hanc regulam, hanc praescriptionem esse naturae, a quā, etc.,” id. Ac. 2, 46, 140: “rationis,” id. Tusc. 4, 9, 22: “in hac praescriptione semi-horae,” id. Rab. Perd. 2, 6: “sine praescriptione generis aut numeri,” without previous limitation, Tac. A. 6, 15.—
C. In law, an exception, objection, demurrer: “aut intentio, aut praescriptio habet controversiam,” Quint. 7, 5, 2: “praescriptionem alicui opponere,” Dig. 44, tit. 44, 11.—
2. Esp., a limitation of the subject-matter in a suit, by a form of words: “praescriptiones autem appellatas ab eo, quod ante formulas praescribuntur,” Gai. Inst. 4, 132; cf. id. ib. 4, 130 sqq.—
D. Transf., a philosophical objection, a subtlety, sophism: “exceptiones et praescriptiones philosophorum,” Sen. Ep. 48, 12.—
E. Limitation as to time, prescription, Dig. 18, 1, 76.
