Or·dāin′, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. ORDAINED; p. pr. & vb. n. ORDAINING.] [O. Fr. ordener, ordoner, N. Fr. ordonner, Pr. & Sp. ordenar, It. & Lat. ordinare, from Lat. ordo, ordinis, order.]
Sense 1. To set in order; to arrange according to rule; to regulate; to set; to establish.
Sense 2. To appoint; to decree; to enact; to institute.
Let them be for lights, as I ordain. Milton.
And doth the power that man adores Ordain their doom? Byron.
Sense 3. To set apart for an office; to constitute. “Her husband new ordained.” Spenser.
He was ordained his special governor. Shak.
Sense 4. Especially, to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; to introduce into the office of the Christian ministry, by the laying on of hands, or other appropriate forms.