Ordaining

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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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