'prescriptiveness' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'prescriptive' with the suffix '-ness', where '-ness' meant 'state or quality'.

'prescriptive' changed from Medieval Latin/Latin formations related to 'praescribere' (through forms such as Medieval Latin 'praescriptivus' and Old/French-influenced forms) and eventually became the modern English word 'prescriptive'; 'prescriptiveness' was formed later by adding '-ness'.

Initially related to the Latin idea 'praescribere' meaning 'to write beforehand' or 'to set down in advance', the term's descendants came to mean 'to stipulate or lay down rules', and 'prescriptiveness' today denotes the tendency or quality of imposing rules or norms.