prescriben

Prescriben is a Spanish verb form that translates as “they prescribe” or “you prescribe” in informal plural contexts. It is the third-person plural present indicative of the verb prescribir, used with subjects such as ellos, ellas, or ustedes in many dialects.

The verb prescribir comes from the Latin praescribere and has two common senses in modern Spanish. In medical contexts, prescribir means to authorize a medication or treatment. In legal contexts, prescribir also means to lapse or expire a rights or claims after a legally defined period.

Conjugation notes: Prescribir is a regular -ir verb with the stem prescrib-. Its present tense forms are: yo prescribo, tú prescribes, él prescribe, nosotros prescribimos, vosotros prescribís, ellos prescriben. The form prescriben thus corresponds to the third-person plural present indicative.

Examples: Los médicos prescriben analgésicos cuando es necesario. En derecho, los plazos prescriben tras un periodo determinado, extinguiéndose las acciones.

See also: Prescripción, Prescribir, Prescripción médica, Prescripción en derecho.