online medical dictionary | definition of ordain

1. To set in order; to arrange according to rule; to regulate; to set; to establish. "Battle well ordained." "The stake that shall be ordained on either side." (Chaucer)

2. To regulate, or establish, by appointment, decree, or law; to constitute; to decree; to appoint; to institute. "Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month." (1 Kings xii. 32) "And doth the power that man adores ordain Their doom ?" (Byron)

3. To set apart for an office; to appoint. "Being ordained his special governor." (Shak)

4. 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. "Meletius was ordained by Arian bishops." (Bp. Stillingfleet)

Origin: OE. Ordeinen, OF. Ordener, F. Ordonner, fr. L. Ordinare, from ordo, ordinis, order. See Order, and cf. Ordinance.

(01 Mar 1998)