ordain

 
Pronunciation: /ɔːˈdeɪn/

verb

[with object]
  • 1make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on: he was ordained a minister before entering Parliament women ordained to the diaconate (as adjective ordained) an ordained clergyman
  • 2order (something) officially: equal punishment was ordained for the two crimes [with clause]: the king ordained that these courts should be revived
  • (of God or fate) decide (something) in advance: the path ordained by God

Derivatives

ordainer

noun

ordainment

noun

Origin:

Middle English (also in the sense 'put in order'): from Anglo-Norman French ordeiner, from Latin ordinare, from ordo, ordin- (see order)