Order

n. [Fr. ordre, Pr. orde, orden, Sp. orden, It. ordine, Lat. ordo, ordinis.] 1. Regular arrangement; any methodical or established succession; as, (a.) Of material things, like the books in a library; (b.) Of intellectual notions, like the topics of a discourse; (c.) Of periods of time, or occurrences, or the like; method. Bright-harnessed angels sit in order serviceable. Milton. Good order is the foundation of all good things. Burke. 2. Hence, a sound or proper condition; a normal or becoming state; a fit appearance; as, the muskets are all in good order; the bodily organs are in order. Any of the faculties . . . out of order produce suitable defects. Locke. 3. The customary mode of procedure; established usage, especially in the transaction of business; custom; fashion. This order with her sorrow she accords; Which, orderless, all forms of order broke. Daniel. 4. Regular government; the desirable condition consequent upon conformity with law; general tranquillity; public quiet; as, to preserve good order in a community. There is no church where there is no order, no ministry. Pearson. 5. That which prescribes a method of procedure or a rule of government; a regulation; a standing rule; as, the rules and orders of a legislative house. The church hath authority to establish that for an order at one time which at another time it may abolish. Hooker. 6. Hence, a particular injunction; a command; a mandate; a direction; a precept. Upon this new fright, an order was made by both houses for disarming all the Papists in England. Clarendon. 7. Hence, also, necessary measures or care. Provide me soldiers Whilst I take order for my own affairs. Shak. 8. Specifically, a commission to make purchases or supply goods; a direction, in writing, to pay money; a free pass, as to a place of public amusement. In those days were pit orders—beshrew the uncomfortable manager who abolished them. C. Lamb. 9. A number of things or persons arranged in a fixed or suitable place, or relative position; a rank; a row; a grade; especially, a rank or class in society; a group or division of men occupying the same social platform; hence, a privileged or dignified grade; as, the higher or lower orders of society. In all cases that we value a religious design before a temporal, when otherwise they are in equal order to their several ends. Bp. Taylor. Various orders various ensigns bear. Granville. 10. Hence, a class of men so closely linked together, that they form, or profess to form, a separate class in the community; as, the order of nobles; a military order; and specifically, a religious fraternity. “The . . . valiant and venerable order of the Knights Templars.” W. Scott. Find a barefoot brother out, One of our order, to associate me. Shak.

11. (Episcopal Church.) The rank of deacon, priest, or bishop; the office of the Christian ministry;—often used in the plural; as, to take orders, that is, to become a deacon or priest;—called also holy orders.
12. (Eccl.) A book containing certain forms used at the consecration of deacons, &c.; an ordinal.
13. (Arch.) One of the five principal methods recognized by the ancients for constructing and ornamenting the columns of an edifice: these were the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite.
14. (Zoöl.) One of the well-marked divisions of a class, including in itself families and genera.
15. (Bot.) A group or collection of allied individuals, more comprehensive than a genus; a family; a tribe.
16. (Rhet.) The placing of words and members in a sentence in such a manner as to contribute to force and beauty of expression, or to the clear illustration of the subject.

General orders, the commands or notices which a military commander-in-chief issues to the troops under his command.—Holy orders. (a.) (Episcopal Church.) See No. 11. (b.) (Rom. Cath. Church.) A sacrament by which a special grace is conferred on those ordained for the sacred ministry.—In order, for the purpose; to the end; as means to an end. “The best knowledge is that which is of the greatest use in order to our eternal happiness.” Tillotson.—Order of battle (Mil.), the particular disposition given to an army for a determined maneuver on the field of battle. Halleck.—Order of the day (Legislative bodies), a succession of business appointed for a specified day.