v.tr. 1 confer holy orders on; appoint to the Christian ministry (ordained him priest; was ordained in 1970). 2 a (often foll. by that + clause) decree (ordained that he should go). b (of God, fate, etc.) destine; appoint (has ordained us to die). ordainer n. ordainment n.
[ ME f. AF ordeiner, OF ordein- stressed stem of ordener f. L ordinare f. ordo -inis order ]