or|dain´er

or|dain «awr DAYN», transitive verb.

1. to pass as a law; order; decide; fix; appoint: »

In some places the law ordains that convicted criminals shall go to prison. The eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained (Time).

SYNONYM(S): decree, prescribe.

2. to officially appoint or consecrate as a minister in a Christian church.

3. to appoint (a person) to a charge, duty, or office.

4. to appoint as part of the order of the universe or of nature; destine.

–v.i.

to command.

╂[< Anglo-French ordeigner, Old French ordener, learned borrowing from Latin ōrdināre arrange (in Medieval Latin, consecrate; take holy orders) < ōrdō, -inis order]

–or|dain´er, noun.

–or|dain´ment, noun.