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ordain

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ordain

Main Entry:: or·dain
Pronunciation:: \ȯr-ˈdān\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: Middle English ordeinen, from Anglo-French ordener, ordeiner, from Late Latin ordinare, from Latin, to put in order, appoint, from ordin-, ordo order
Date:: 14th century

transitive verb1: to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority2 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, foreordainintransitive verb: to issue an order

— or·dain·er noun

— or·dain·ment

Listen to the pronunciation of ordainment

\-ˈdān-mənt\ noun

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