prescind 
to attend, and to abstract are merely different but 
4701 
It [the action of spulliie| must be brought within three 
presence 
We are Intolerant of everything that Is not simple, un- 
correlntive names for the same process; and the ttrst two years in order to entitle the pursuer to violent profits, biassed by prescription. llU'ial us tin- wind. 
are nearly convertible. When we are said to prescind a otherwise it prescribes in forty years. /. A. Symonds, Italy and Ureece, p. 297. 
quality, we are merely supposed to attend to that quality 
exclusively. Sir W . Hamilton, Logic, vli. 
If force be considered as prescinded from gravity and 
matter, and as existing only in points, or centers, what 
can this amount to but an abstract spiritual incorporeal 
force? Berkeley, Slrls, 225. 
II. intrans. To withdraw the attention : usu- 
ally with from. 
Those things which Christianity, as It prescind* from 
the interest of the republic, hath introduced. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 210. 
In what I am about to write I prescind entirely from all 
theological theories and religious symbols. 
Fortnightly Rev., X. S., XLI1I. 72. 
prescindent (pre-sin'dent), a. [< L. prxscin- 
ilcii(t-)n, ppr. of ' prxscindere, cut off in front: 
see prescind.] Prescinding; abstracting. 
We may, for one single act, abstract from a reward, 
which in lihulj who knows the prescindent faculties of the 
soul can deny. O. Cheyne, Philosophical Principles. 
prescioust (pre'shi-us), a. [< L. pree.icius, fore- 
knowing, < prsescire, know beforehand: see 
prescient.] Prescient; foreknowing; having 
foreknowledge. 
No presciovs determination of our states to come. 
Sir T. Browne, Religio Medici, I. 11. 
Prescious of Ills. Dryden, ^Eneid, xi. 
prescission (pre-sish'on), . [< L. as if *pr- 
scinxio(n-), < priesciniiere, cut off: see prescind. 
Cf. scission.] The act of prescinding. [Rare.] 
prescribe (pre-skrib'), v.; pret. and pp. pre- 
scribed, ppr. prescribing. [= P. preserve = Sp. 
7>rpscri6ir = Pg.^>rescmw=It. prescrirere, < L. 
prseseribcre, write before, prefix in writing, < 
prx, before, + scriberc, write : see scribe.] I. 
trans. If. To inscribe beforehand or in front. 
Having heard your approbation of these In their pre- 
sentment, I could not but prescribe them with your name. 
('/minium, Byron's Conspiracy and Tragedy, Ded. 
2. To lay down beforehand, in writing or other- 
wise, as a rule of action ; ordain ; appoint ; de- 
fine authoritatively. 
For her no other termes should ever tie 
Then what prescribed were by lawes of chevalrie. 
Spenser, F. Q., V. vii. 28. 
Prescribe not us our duties. Shak., Lear, i. 1. 279. 
They may call back the sun as soon, stay time. 
Encyc. Brit., XXIII. 589. 
prescriber (pre-skri'ber), n. [< prescribe + 
-er 1 .] One who prescribes; one who gives 
rules or directions, especially in medical treat- 
ment. 
The phlsicians of the bodyes haue practicioners and 
poticarles that dooe minister theyr arte vnder them ; and 
themselues are the prescribers and appoynters what It is 
that muste bee geuen to the sycke. 
J. Udall, On Luke, Pref. 
God the preMriber of order. 
Fotherby, Atheomastix, p. 158. 
prescript (pre'skript, formerly also pre- 
skriptO, a. and n. [< OF. prescript, F.prescrit 
= Sp. Pg. prescripto = It. preseritto; < L. prse- 
scriptus, prescribed (ueut. preescriptum, some- 
thing prescribed, a copy, a precept, order, rule), 
pp. of priescribere, prescribe : see prescribe.] I. 
a. Prescribed ; set down beforehand as a rule ; 
ordained or appointed beforehand. 
To the intent the prescript number of the citizens should 
neither decrease nor above measure increase. 
Sir T. Mare, Utopia (tr. by Robinson), II. 5. 
Baptism is given by the element of water, and that pre- 
script fin in of words which the Church of Christ doth use. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity, iv. 1. 
I must apologize this to the reader, that I do not con- 
demn all prescript penalties, although the argument seem 
to hold forth so much. 
Wintttrop, Hist. Xew England, II. 257. 
II. n. 1. That which is prescribed; a regu- 
lation; direction; instruction; rule; law. 
They [ I'topiansl define virtue to be life ordered accord- 
ing to the prescript of nature. 
Sir T. Mure, I'topla (tr. by Robinson), ii. 7. 
Ne staid, till that he came with steep descent 
I'nto the place where his prescript did showe. 
Spenser Mother Hub. Tale, 1. 1281. 
l>o not exceed 
The Jews, by the pretcript of their law, were to be mer- 
ciful to all their nation and confederates in religion. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), 1. 19. 
2+. Specifically, a medical direction; a pre- 
scription. 
It is not a potion I send, but a prescript in paper, which 
the foolish patient did eat up when he rend in it written, 
Take this. Jtev. T. Adams, Memoir, p. xlvii. (Works, III.). 
^esaripttMlily (pre-skrip-ti-bil'i-ti), . [< 
prescriptible + -ity (see -bility).] The quality 
of being prescriptible. .Sfr, 
Hence, more specifically (a) The acquisition of a right 
or title by such enjoyment, called sometimes positive or 
acquisitive prescription. 
Some gentlemen doe bold that dlgnitie (nobility) \iyvre- 
scription, not hauing other proofe then that they and their 
aiicestors were called Uentlemen time out of mimic. 
Seyar, Honor, p. 227. 
When thou beginnest to sue him, he will plead prescrip- 
tion: . . . It Is mine, It shall be mine, because It hath been 
mine. /.'"-. T. Adamt, Works, II. 41. 
The Lucquese plead pretcription for hunting iu one of 
the Duke's forests that lies upon their frontiers. 
Ait'lis'Hi, Remarks on Italy (ed. Bohn), I. 493. 
The institution called Vsucaplon or (In modern times) 
Prescription, the acquisition of ownership by continuous 
possession, lay at the root of the ancient Roman law, 
whether of persons or of things. 
Maine, Early Hist, of Institutions, p. S15. 
(6) The loss of a right or title by suffering another to en- 
joy It, or by neglecting to assert it: called sometimes nega- 
tive prescription. 
And unless ye get your thumb-nail on them [poachers] 
in the very nick o' time, ye may dine on a dish of prescrip- 
tion, and sup upon an absolvitor. 
Scott, St. Ronan's Well, vilL 
Baron s by prescription. See laron, 1 . Prescription 
Act (sometimes called Lord Tenterden's Act), an English 
statute (2 and 3 William IV., c. 71) by which uninter- 
rupted enjoyment of an easement for twenty years (forty 
at the most) under claim of right was made a bar to ad- 
verse claims, in lieu of requiring reference to immemorial 
usage. Title by prescription, a title based solely on a 
showing that the claimant and those under whom he 
claims have immemorially been in the hubit of enjoying 
that which he claims. 
prescription-glass (pre-skrip'shon-glas), n. 1. 
A glass vessel with measures, as of a table- 
spoonful, teaspoonful, etc., marked on it. 2. 
A spectacle-glass or lens made according to an 
oculist's prescription. 
The lens-grinding room ... is devoted almost exclu- 
sively to making what are known as prcacriptitm glasses. 
Sri. Amer., X. S., l.VIII. 269. 
l<pre- 
The prescript of this scroll. 
shak., A. and c., iii. a s. prescriptionist (pre-skrip'shon-ist), . 
scription + -ixt.] One who makes up or com- 
pounds a medical prescription. 
The apparent deterioration was due to the dishonesty of 
the retail druggist or pracrtptionltt. 
Sanitarian, XVIII. 427. 
prescriptive (pre-skrip'tiv), a. [= V. prescriptif 
= It. pnsCfitaVO, < LL. prirxcriptirH.i, pertain- 
ing to a prescript, < L. prsescriptnn, pp. of prx- 
scriberc, prescribe : see prescribe.] 1. Arising 
from established usage or opinion ; customary. 
Emigrations for conquest, for gold, for very restlessness 
of being prescriptlble. Monj. Emigrations for conquest, for gold, for very restlessness 
prescriptible (pre-Skrip fa-bl), a. [= P. prc- of spirit - if they grow towards an imperial issue, have 
SCripWe = Sp. prescriptible = Pg. prescriptirel 
= lt.prcscrittibilc; as prescript + -iblc.] Prop- 
er to be prescribed; depending on or derived 
from prescription. 
If the matter were jtreacriptiUe. 
(iraflon, Hen. VIII., an. 34. 
prescription (pre-skrip'shon), H. [< P. pre- 
scription = Sp. prcscripcion = Pg. preseripcSo 
= It. prescrizione, < li. prxxcriptio(n-), a writing 
before or in front, a title, preface, pretext, pre- 
cept, order, rule, law, exception, demurrer, 
ML. prescription, a prescriptive right, etc., < 
prsescribere,pp.prxscriptus, prescribe: see;>rc- 
1. The act of prescribing or establish- 
all t\mt& prescriptive and recognized ingredient of heroism. 
R. Choate, Addresses, p. 90. 
They were prepared to strip the church of its power, and 
royalty of its prescriptive sanctity. 
Bancroft, Hist. V. S., I. 383. 
2. Specifically, in laic, pertaining to, resulting 
from, or based upon prescription. 
Yon tall Tower, 
Whose cawing occupants with Joy proclaim 
Prescriptive title to the shattered pile. 
Wordsicorth, Sonnets, ill. 47. 
It[the right of self-taxation | was in full exercise from 
the early years of Edward I., and accordingly was strong 
enough in prescriptive force to resist his attempts to in- 
corporate the clergy as an estate of parliament. 
Stubbs, Const, Hist.. 396. 
Philosophers prescribe us Rules that they themselves, 
nor any Flesh and Blood, can observe. 
Hmrell, Letters, I. vi. 58. 
Mankind In ways prescribed are found, 
Like flocks that follow on a beaten ground. 
Crabbe, Works, IV. 55. 
The necessities which initiate government themselves 
prescribe the actions of government. 
H. Spencer, Data of Ethics, f 19. 
3. Specifically, to advise, appoint, or designate 
as a remedy for disease. 
Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me ; 
Let's purge this choler without letting blood : 
This we prescribe, though no physician. 
Shak., Rich. II., i. 1. 154. 
A druggist's assistant who . . . prescribes a sharp pur- 
gative and kills the patient is found guilty of manslaugh- 
ter. U. Spencer, Man vs. State, p. 47. 
4. In law, to render invalid through lapse of 
time or negative prescription. 
"Could you not take up the action again?" said Mr. 
Mowbray. 
" Whew ! It 's been prescribed sax or seeven years syne." 
Scott, St. Ronan's Well, viii. 
-Syn. 2. To order, command, dictate, institute, establish. 
II. intrans. 1. To set rules; lay down the 
law; dictate. 
The assuming an authority of dictating to others, and a 
forwardness to prescribe to their opinions, is a constant 
concomitant of this bias of our judgments. 
Locke. (Johnson.) 
2. To give medical directions; designate the 
remedies to be used: as, to prescribe for a pa- 
tient in a fever. 
I will use the olive with my sword, 
Make war breed peace, make peace stint war, make each 
Prescribe to other as each other's leech. 
SAo*., T. of A., v. 4. 84. 
3. In / : (a) To claim by prescription ; claim 
a title to a thing by immemorial use and enjoy- 
ment : with for : as, to prescribe for a right of 
way, of common, or the like, (b) To become 
extinguished or of no validity through lapseof years, a primafacie title arises by prescription to the thing preseminal (pre-sem'i-nal), a. [< pn- + >' ini- 
AI _I_LA j ^\.t. ^1.1; I: A *i. i:i-.. enjoyed. 
scribe.] _. 
ing by rules; that which is prescribed ; direc- p re8 cutal (pre-sku'tal),a. [< preescutum + -al.] 
tion; prescript. of or pertaining to tne pra?scutum. 
I am thankful to you; and I'll go along preset, t'. and H. An obsolete variant of press 1 . 
By your prescription. Shak., Hen. VIII., i. 1. 151. p reseancet (pre'se-ans), n. [<OF.preseance,F. 
.K ,A .,. i.. K M i, f n <t f,, .h. _.~,v. prfscancf, precedence, < ML. prtegidentia, lit. a 
sitting before, < L. preexidere, sit before: s_ee 
presidency. Cf. seance.] Privilege or priority 
of plaee iu sitting. 
The ghests . . . may for their discrcete judgement in 
precedence and preseance read a lesson to our dullest 
gentry. R. Came, Survey of Cornwall, p. 71. 
re-se'), v. t. ; pret. presaw, pp. preseen, 
[< pre- -r- seel.] To foresee. 
Men who could not be brought off from the prescrip- 
tions of gentilism to the seeming impossibilities of Chris- 
tianity. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1836), II. 181. 
2. In med., a statement, usually written, of the 
medicines or remedies to be used by a patient, 
and the manner of using them. 
My reason, the physician to my love. 
3. In lair, a personal use or possession suffi- 
ciently long continued to secure to one or more 
persons a title or right, as against others ; the 
effect on rights of persons of the immemorial or 
long-continued and uninterrupted enjoyment of preselect (pre-se-lekf), r. t. 
a thing, as a right of way or of common, by one To select beforehand, 
person or class or succession of persons rather presemilunar (pre-sem-i-lu'nfir), a 
than by another or others: as, to acquire pos- xemilunar.'] Anterior to the semili 
session of a thing by ///>x<v//^i<>. After uninter- the cerebellum Presemilunar lobe, the posteroau 
rnpted enjoyment for thirty, and in many cases for twenty perior lobe of the cerebellum. 
ppr. preseeing. 
You gnou]d haye emploved Bome other ln th e joarneT| 
w hi c h I had no reason to affect much, preteeing well 
enough how thankless it would be. 
Motley, Hist. Netherlands, I. 443, note 4. 
[< pre- + select.] 
[(pre- + 
Anterior to the semilunar lobe of 
time, as a right, debt, obligation, and the like. 
See prescription . 3. 
Under James VI. actions for servants' wages are to pre- 
scribe [applied to property when lost by the lapse of time] 
in three years, after which the debt can, only be proved by 
writ or oath of the debtor (1579, c. 1 > 
Jtibton-Tururr, Vagrants and Vagrancy, p. 362. 
na f -j pri or to insemination or fecundation : 
as, the preseminal state of an ovum. Also pr- 
<i'initml . 
Those honours, and that worship, he has held in the 
Christian church by a pretcription of fifteen, sixteen, or 
seventeen hundred years. Waterland, Works, II. -202. 
presence (prez ens), n. [< MK. /</ .-/ >n-> , < OF. 
Can any length of acquiescence turn a wrong thing Into p , ,. ' " if nrteence - Sn MVMMffl - Ptr ir- 
a right one; any length of prescription turn an abuse into I 11 ' " "" * presence . 
a ri'-'ht .' Stubbs, Medieval and Modern Hist., p. 22. senga = It. presfii:ti. pri-nengm, < L. preexcnlm. 
