different between description vs proscription

English

Etymology

From Old French description, from Latin d?scr?pti?, noun of action of d?scr?b? (“I describe”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??sk??p??n/

Noun

description (countable and uncountable, plural descriptions)

1. A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.
2. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
3. A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.

   The zoo had no lions, tigers, or cats of any description.

4. (taxonomy) A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.

   The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.

5. (linguistics) The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.
6. (linguistics) A descriptive linguistic survey.

Synonyms

• (characteristics): sort, kind, type, variety

Derived terms

Related terms

• describe
• descriptive

Translations

See also

• prescription
• descriptivism

Further reading

• description in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• description in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

See also

• synopsis
• interpretation

Anagrams

• discerption, predictions

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin d?scripti?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s.k?ip.sj??/
• Homophone: descriptions

Noun

description f (plural descriptions)

1. description

Related terms

• décrire
• descriptif

Further reading

• “description” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Old French

Etymology

From Latin d?scripti?.

Noun

description f (oblique plural descriptions, nominative singular description, nominative plural descriptions)

1. description

Related terms

• descrivre

English

Etymology

From Middle English proscripcion, from Latin pr?scr?pti?, from pr?scr?b? (originally "publish in writing"), from pr?- and scr?b? (“write”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p???sk??p.??n/, /p?o??sk??p.??n/
• Rhymes: -?p??n
• Hyphenation: pro?scrip?tion

Noun

proscription (countable and uncountable, plural proscriptions)

1. A prohibition.
2. (historical) Decree of condemnation toward one or more persons, especially in the Roman antiquity.
   • 1837, Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb, Tacitus' Annals, book 1

     He was wholly unopposed, for the boldest spirits had fallen in battle, or in the proscription [...]

3. The act of proscribing, or its result.
4. A decree or law that prohibits.

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with prescription

Related terms

• proscribe
• proscriptive
• proscriptively

Translations

French

Etymology

From Latin pr?scr?pti?, from pr?scr?bere (originally "publish in writing"), from pr?- and scr?bere.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p??s.k?ip.sj??/

Noun

proscription f (plural proscriptions)

1. (historical) Condemnation made against political opponents, especially the Roman antiquity and during the French Revolution.
2. Banishment of a person or group.
3. Proscription (2)

Related terms

• proscrire
• proscripteur

Further reading

• “proscription” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).