ȯrˈdān, ȯ(ə)ˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ordeinen, from Old French ordener (3d singular present ordeine ), from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin ordinare to ordain (a clergyman), from Latin, to put in order, arrange, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order — more at order
transitive verb
1. : arrange , order , regulate , manage , conduct
a boy not yet fit to ordain his life — Oliver La Farge
2.
a.
(1) : to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions : introduce into the office of the Christian ministry by the laying on of hands or by other forms : set apart by the ceremony of ordination — compare consecrate
(2) : to invest with regal functions by a religious ceremony
ordained king in Westminster Abbey — F.M.Stenton
b. : to establish by appointment, decree, or law : constitute , institute , enact
the plan was ordained by the governor and judges — American Guide Series: Michigan
ordained a form of government closely resembling an absolute monarchy — E.O.Hauser
c. : to predestine or destine as part of a divine plan, by the force of circumstances, or as necessary in the nature of things : fate
truly ordained to be one of the world's great crossroads — H.F.Bain
ordained to be hewers of wood and drawers of water — Newsweek
the end is ordained by fate — C.H.Rickword
d. : to order by fiat or by virtue of great or supreme authority : command , decree
ordained that the best gumtrees were to be left standing — Rex Ingamells
cannot ordain that so many tons of steel be produced when the ore and steel plants are not in existence — F.A.Ogg & Harold Zink
intransitive verb
: to issue an order : decree , command
so great Jove ordains
Synonyms: see dictate