Collins English-English Dictionary

prescription [prɪ'skrɪpʃən]

1. 1. n written instructions from a physician, dentist, etc, to a pharmacist stating the form, dosage strength, etc, of a drug to be issued to a specific patient

2. 2. n the drug or remedy prescribed

3. 3. n [modifier] (of drugs) available legally only with a doctor's prescription

4. 4. n written instructions from an optician specifying the lenses needed to correct defects of vision

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   prescription glasses

6. 6. n the act of prescribing

7. 7. n something that is prescribed

8. 8. n a long established custom or a claim based on one

9. 9. n [law] the uninterrupted possession of property over a stated period of time, after which a right or title is acquired (positive prescription)

10. 10. n the barring of adverse claims to property, etc, after a specified period of time has elapsed, allowing the possessor to acquire title (negative prescription)

11. 11. n the right or title acquired in either of these ways

12. 12. n [Etymology] C14: from legal Latin praescriptio an order, prescription; see prescribe