ordain
[ awr-deyn ]
/ ɔrˈdeɪn /
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verb (used with object)
to invest with ministerial, priestly, or rabbinical functions.
to enact or establish by law, edict, etc.: to ordain a new type of government.
to decree; give orders for: He ordained that the restrictions were to be lifted.
(of God, fate, etc.) to destine or predestine: Fate had ordained the meeting.
verb (used without object)
SYNONYMS FOR ordain
4 predetermine.
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Origin of ordain
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ordeinen, from Old French ordener, from Latin ordināre “to order, arrange, appoint”; see ordination
OTHER WORDS FROM ordain
Words nearby ordain
orciprenaline sulfate, OR circuit, Orcus, Orczy, ord., ordain, ordained, ordainee, ordeal, ordeal bean, ordeal tree
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ordain
British Dictionary definitions for ordain
ordain
/ (ɔːˈdeɪn) /
verb (tr)
to consecrate (someone) as a priest; confer holy orders upon
(may take a clause as object) to decree, appoint, or predestine irrevocably
(may take a clause as object) to order, establish, or enact with authority
obsolete to select for an office
Derived forms of ordain
ordainer, nounordainment, nounWord Origin for ordain
C13: from Anglo-Norman ordeiner, from Late Latin ordināre, from Latin ordo order
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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