[or.der] vb or.dered ; or.der.ing [ME, fr. ordre, n.] vt (13c) 1: to put in order: arrange
2. a: to give an order to: command b: destine, ordain c: to command to go or come to a specified place d: to give an order for "~ a meal" ~ vi 1: to bring about order: regulate
2. a: to issue orders: command b: to give or place an order -- or.der.able adj -- or.der.er n syn order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other. order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion "ordered her business affairs". arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment "arranged the files numerically". marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use "marshaling the facts for argument". organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function "organized the volunteers into teams". systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme "systematized billing procedures". methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme "meth odizes every aspect of daily living". syn see in addition command
[2]order n [ME, fr. MF ordre, fr. ML & L; ML ordin-, ordo ecclesiastical order, fr. L, arrangement, group, class; akin to L ordiri to lay the warp, begin] (14c) 1 a: a group of people united in a formal way: as (1): a fraternal society "the Masonic Order" (2): a community under a religious rule; esp: one requiring members to take solemn vows b: a badge or medal of such a society; also: a military decoration
2. a: any of the several grades of the Christian ministry b pl: the office of a person in the Christian ministry c pl: ordination 3 a: a rank, class, or special group in a community or society b: a class of persons or things grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics: as (1): a category of taxonomic classification ranking above the family and below the class (2): the broadest category in soil classification
4. a (1): rank, level "a statesman of the first ~" (2): category, class "in emergencies of this ~ --R. B. Westerfield" b (1): the arrangement or sequence of objects or of events in time "listed the items in ~ of importance" (2): a sequential arrangement of mathematical elements c: degree 12a, b d (1): the number of times differentiation is applied successively "derivatives of higher ~" (2) of a differential equation: the order of the derivative of highest order e: the number of columns or rows or columns and rows in a magic square, determinant, or matrix "the ~ of a matrix with
2. rows and 3 columns is
2. by 3" f: the number of elements in a finite mathematical group
5. a (1): a sociopolitical system "was opposed to changes in the established ~" (2): a particular sphere or aspect of a sociopolitical system "the present economic ~" b: a regular or harmonious arrangement "the ~ of nature"
6. a: a prescribed form of a religious service: rite b: the customary mode of procedure esp. in debate "point of ~"
7. a: the state of peace, freedom from confused or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority "promised to restore law and ~" b: a specific rule, regulation, or authoritative direction: command
8. a: a style of building b: a type of column and entablature forming the unit of a style
9. a: state or condition esp. with regard to functioning or repair "things were in terrible ~" b: a proper, orderly, or functioning condition "their passports were in ~" "the phone is out of ~"
10. a: a written direction to pay money to someone b: a commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods or to perform work c: goods or items bought or sold d: an assigned or requested undertaking "landing men on the moon was a large ~" 11: order of the day "flat ro adj -- in order : appropriate, desirable "an apology is in order" -- in order to : for the purpose of -- on order : in the process of being ordered -- on the order of 1: after the fashion of: like "much on the order of Great Lakes bulk carriers --Ships and the Sea"
2: about, approximately "spent on the order of two million dollars" -- to order : according to the specifications of an order "shoes made to order"