tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on: ordain a priest. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. To order or decree by virtue of superior authority: The management ordained that business attire should be worn in the office at all times. 3. To prearrange unalterably; predestine: events that were ordained by fate. [Middle English ordeinen, from Old French ordener, ordein-, from Latin ōrdināre, to organize, appoint to office, from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] or·dainer n. or·dainment n. |
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