ordain

[awr-deyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to invest with ministerial, priestly, or rabbinical functions.

2. to enact or establish by law, edict, etc..

   to ordain a new type of government.

3. to decree; give orders for.

   He ordained that the restrictions were to be lifted.

   Synonyms: determine, prescribe, order

4. (of God, fate, etc.) to destine or predestine.

   Fate had ordained the meeting.

   Synonyms: predetermine

verb (used without object)

1. to order or command.

   Thus do the gods ordain.

2. to select for or appoint to an office.

3. to invest someone with sacerdotal functions.

ordain

/ ɔːˈdeɪn /

verb

1. to consecrate (someone) as a priest; confer holy orders upon

2. (may take a clause as object) to decree, appoint, or predestine irrevocably

3. (may take a clause as object) to order, establish, or enact with authority

4. obsolete,  to select for an office

Other Word Forms

• ordainment noun
• ordainer noun
• ordainable adjective
• reordain verb (used with object)
• self-ordainer noun
• superordain verb (used without object)
• unordainable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ordeinen, from Old French ordener, from Latin ordināre “to order, arrange, appoint”; ordination

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordain¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman ordeiner, from Late Latin ordināre, from Latin ordo _order

Related Words

• anoint 
• appoint 
• bless 
• consecrate 
• elect 
• enact 
• nominate