[or.dain] vb [ME ordeinen, fr. OF ordener, fr. LL ordinare, fr. L, to put in order, appoint, fr. ordin-, ordo order] vt (14c) 1: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority
2. a: to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law: enact b: destine, foreordain ~ vi: to issue an order -- or.dain.er n -- or.dain.ment n