Prescriptive/proscriptive

[Phyrebrat]

I'm never sure which is which and dictionary.com just muddles the issue.

So, the version I'm after is when, for example, advice is given and it's inflexible and absolute; 'Apple software is far too proscriptive/prescriptive'

pH

 

[The Judge]

Prescriptive.

Its main meaning relates to the making or giving of rules/directions and the like, so just a little way down from authoritarian or dictatorial. Proscriptive is the adjective relating to proscription and things which have been proscribed, ie prohibited or denounced, condemned. So a proscriptive law would be one which eg forbade an action or outlawed a group of people.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Thanks, TJ, that explains it perfectly. The way I was reading it online was not helping me at all! I have made myself a little something to remember this:

Prescription - prescibed
Prohibited - proscription

pH

 

[tinkerdan]

my understanding of them is

Proscription: an imposed restraint or restriction : prohibition(bans)

Prescriptive: imposition or enforcement of a rule or method(rules of law)

But when you dig further down into the mess I can see where they cross a line arm in arm.
Often some rules of law seem like a tongue in cheek ban.