v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Proscribed p. pr. & vb. n. Proscribing. ] [ L. proscribere, proscriptum, to write before, to publish, proscribe; pro before + scribere to write. See Scribe. The sense of this word originated in the Roman practice of writing the names of persons doomed to death, and posting the list in public. ] 1. To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed each other's adherents. [ 1913 Webster ] Robert Vere, Earl of Oxford, . . . was banished the realm, and proscribed. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as, the Puritans proscribed theaters. [ 1913 Webster ] The Arian doctrines were proscribed and anathematized in the famous Council of Nice. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ] |