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 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, foreordainintransitive verb : to issue an order

— or·dain·er noun

— or·dain·ment \-ˈdān-mənt\ noun