praescriptĭo, ōnis, f. [praescribo].
I A writing before or in front , a prefixing in writing; hence, meton., a title , inscription , preface , introduction , commencement : praescriptio legis, Cic. Agr. 2, 9, 22: tribuniciae potestatis, Tac. A. 1, 7.—
II Trop.
A A pretext , excuse , pretence : ut honestā praescriptione rem turpissimam tegerent, Caes. B. C. 3, 32.—
B A precept , order , rule , law : dummodo illa praescriptio moderatioque teneatur, Cic. Cael. 18, 42: hanc normam, hanc regulam, hanc praescriptionem esse naturae, a quā, etc., id. Ac. 2 ( Luc. ), 46, 140: rationis, id. Tusc. 4, 9, 22: in hac praescriptione semi-horae, id. Rab. Perd. 2, 6: sine praescriptione generis aut numeri, without previous limitation , Tac. A. 6, 15.—
C In law, an exception , objection , demurrer : aut intentio, aut praescriptio habet controversiam, Quint. 7, 5, 2: praescriptionem alicui opponere, Dig. 44, tit. 1, 11.—
2 Esp., a limitation of the subject-matter in a suit , by a form of words: praescriptiones autem appellatas ab eo, quod ante formulas praescribuntur, Gai. Inst. 4, 132; cf. id. ib. 4, 130 sqq.—
D Transf., a philosophical objection , a subtlety , sophism : exceptiones et praescriptiones philosophorum, Sen. Ep. 48, 12.—
E Limitation as to time, prescription , Dig. 18, 1, 76.