First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
ordain
verb or·dain \ȯr-ˈdān\
: to officially make (someone) a minister, priest, rabbi, etc.
: to officially establish or order (something)
Full Definition of ORDAIN
transitive verb
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 <we the people … do ordain and establish this Constitution — United States Constitution> b : destine, foreordain
intransitive verb
: to issue an order
— or·dain·er noun
— or·dain·ment \-ˈdān-mənt\ noun
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Origin of ORDAIN
Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order
Related to ORDAIN
- Synonyms
- doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, destine, predestine, predetermine, preordain
Other Christian Religious Terms
ORDAIN Defined for Kids
ordain
verb or·dain \ȯr-ˈdān\
or·dainedor·dain·ing
Definition of ORDAIN for Kids
1
: 2decree <It was ordained by law.>
2
: to make a person a Christian minister or priest by a special ceremony
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