adjective

prescriptive

prih-SKRIP-tiv/prɪˈskrɪptɪv/

Laying down an authoritative requirement for action.

The prescriptive board requires protective equipment before the workshop's saw is used.

A workshop instructor points to a simple three-step safety diagram showing gloves, goggles and a guarded tool, numbered 1 2 3 only, directing how a task must be done.

Etymology

preLatinbefore

+scriptLatinto write

+iveLatinadjective-forming

“Before” plus “write” underlies the idea of laying down directions in advance. Whether from the Latin adjective or English prescript, “a direction,” prescriptive describes rules stating how something should be done.

In context

The Neoliberal Round by Renaldo Mckenzie7:47

they acknowledge that Clarity and natural expression should often take precedence over oldfashioned prescriptive rules

Is Splitting the Infinitive Grammatically Correct in Modern English?

More examples

The teacher favors open-ended projects over prescriptive assignments.
Prescriptive grammar sets rules for how people should use language.
State law gives nurse practitioners prescriptive authority to order medications.

Forms

prescriptive

prescribe verb — To state authoritatively what must be done.

prescription noun — An authoritative direction or recommended course of action.

Similar words

mandatory: Means compliance is required, rather than describing rule-setting guidance.
normative: Establishes standards of correctness without necessarily giving specific instructions.
dictatorial: Adds the criticism that rules are imposed with excessive control.