Meaning:
* "recipe" in Latin means "to take" or "to receive."
* In the context of medicine, it indicates a set of instructions for preparing and administering a drug or treatment.
Origin:
The use of "Rx" originated in the early days of pharmacy, when pharmacists were typically trained in Latin. The symbol was adopted as a shorthand way of writing "recipe" on prescriptions.
It's interesting to note that the "R" in "Rx" is actually a stylized symbol of the ancient Roman god of healing, Asclepius, whose staff was entwined with a serpent. This further strengthens the connection between "Rx" and the medical field.