(tr)to put into a proper, systematic, or decorative order
(tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive)to arrive at an agreement or understanding about; settle
(when intr, often foll by for; when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make plans or preparations in advance (for something)we arranged for her to be met
(tr)to adapt (a musical composition) for performance in a different way, esp on different instruments
(tr)to adapt (a play, etc) for broadcasting
(intr often foll by with) to come to an agreement
Derived Formsarrangeable, adjectivearranger, noun
Word Origin for arrange
C14: from Old French arangier, from a- ² + rangier to put in a row, range
also rearrange, 1798, from re- "back, again" + arrange. Related: Rearranged; rearranging; rearrangement.
arrange
v.
late 14c., "draw up a line of battle," from Old French arengier (12c.), from a- "to" (see ad-) + rangier "set in a row" (Modern French ranger), from rang "rank," from Frankish *hring (see rank (n.)).
A rare word until the meaning generalized to "to place things in order" c.1780-1800. Musical sense of "adapt for other instruments or voices" is from 1808. Related: Arranged; arranging. Arranged marriage attested from 1854.
