29 February 2016

proscribe

[proh-skrahyb]

verb (used with object), proscribed, proscribing.

1. to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful; prohibit.
2. to put outside the protection of the law; outlaw.
3. to banish or exile.
4. to announce the name of (a person) as condemned to death and subject to confiscation of property.

Origin of proscribe

late Middle English Latin

1375-1425; late Middle English < Latin prōscrībere to publish in writing, confiscate, outlaw. See pro-1, prescribe

Related forms

proscribable, adjective
proscriber, noun
unproscribable, adjective
unproscribed, adjective

Can be confused

ascribe, proscribe, subscribe.
prescribe, proscribe.
Synonyms Expand
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
1. censure, disapprove, repudiate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for proscribe Expand
Historical Examples
proscribe French, their mother tongue, and they will hate you and have nothing to do with your schools.

Bilingualism
N. A. Belcourt

Anagram

crib poser
crisp robe

Today’s quote

If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies…. It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.

– Albert Einstein

On this day

29 February 1940 – Hattie McDaniels wins an Oscar for her role as Mammy in Gone With The Wind. She is the first African-American to win an Oscar.

29 February 2012 – death of Davy Jones, singer with British 1960’s rock band, The Monkees. Born on 30 December 1945.