from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ordain \Or*dain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ordained}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Ordaining}.] [OE. ordeinen, OF. ordener, F. ordonner, fr.
L. ordinare, from ordo, ordinis, order. See {Order}, and cf.
{Ordinance}.]
1. To set in order; to arrange according to rule; to
regulate; to set; to establish. "Battle well ordained."
--Spenser.
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The stake that shall be ordained on either side.
--Chaucer.
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2. To regulate, or establish, by appointment, decree, or law;
to constitute; to decree; to appoint; to institute.
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Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month. --1
Kings xii. 32.
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And doth the power that man adores ordain
Their doom ? --Byron.
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3. To set apart for an office; to appoint.
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Being ordained his special governor. --Shak.
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4. (Eccl.) To invest with ministerial or sacerdotal
functions; to introduce into the office of the Christian
ministry, by the laying on of hands, or other forms; to
set apart by the ceremony of ordination.
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Meletius was ordained by Arian bishops. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
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