ordain
[ awr-deyn ]
/ ɔrˈdeɪn /
verb (used with object)
to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; confer holy orders upon.
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)
Origin of ordain
1250–1300; Middle English
ordeinen < Old French
ordener < Latin
ordināre to order, arrange, appoint. See
ordination
SYNONYMS FOR ordain
4
predetermine.
OTHER WORDS FROM ordain
Words nearby ordain
orciprenaline sulfate,
orcus,
orczy,
ord,
ord.,
ordain,
ordainee,
ordeal,
ordeal bean,
ordeal tree,
order
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, noun ordainment, nounWord Origin for ordain
C13: from Anglo-Norman
ordeiner, from Late Latin
ordināre, from Latin
ordo
order