[PW] Re: "x" in Rx (prescription)

[Even Flood]

On 9/18/06, Dan Clinton <clinton_lists at verizon.net> wrote:
> I answered this once, but apparently my post didn't make the list.
>
> The R with a tail is a manuscript abbreviation for the Latin "recipe"
> imperative of "recipere", to take, after which, of course, the dr. writes
> the medication and dosage. Originally, this would have included the "recipe"
> for compounding the medicine, which is rarely done these days. The etymology
> is in the American Heritage under "Rx".
>
> Since there was no actual "x" involved, is is definiitely NOT an
> abbreviation of "rex".
>
It has been used as that. I admit the Wikipedia is a doubtful source,
but if you follow the astrological claim made there, then go to
astrology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology and look at the scan
of the page of symbols from the 17th century in the middle of the
page, you will see the Rx used in the abbreviation for Aqua Regis -
royal water. Click on the picture for further information about the
source. Whether this has any bearing on the original question, I do
not know.

Even


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