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.
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. (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.
Meletius was ordained by Arian bishops. Bp. Stillingfleet.