1748, "giving definite, precise directions;" 1765 as "arising from established usage or opinion, customary," 1748, from Late Latin praescriptivus, from praescript-, past-participle stem of praescribere "ordain, determine in advance; write before" (see prescription). Or formed in English from archaic prescript "a direction" (1530s), from Latin praescriptum. An adjective prescript "ordained, appointed" is attested in English from early 15c. In linguistics by 1933; opposed to descriptive.
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