ordain

or·dain

verb \ȯr-ˈdān\

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

Examples of ORDAIN

1. She is an ordained minister.
2. The process was ordained by law.

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ORDAIN

Synonyms: doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, destine, predestine, predetermine, preordain

Antonyms: repeal, rescind, revoke

Related Words: predestinate; augur, forecast, foretell, predict, presage, prognosticate, prophesy; preconceive, prejudge; condemn, sentence; bode, forebode (also forbode), portend; anticipate, divine, foreknow, foresee

Near Antonyms: cancel, countermand, rescind

see all synonyms and antonyms

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