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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Ordain


ORDA'IN, verb transitive [Latin ordino, from ordo, order.]

1. Properly, to set; to establish in a particular office or order; hence, to invest with a ministerial function or sacerdotal power; to introduce and establish or settle in the pastoral office with the customary forms and solemnities; as, to ordain a minister of the gospel. In America, men are ordained over a particular church and congregation, or as evangelists without the charge of a particular church, or as deacons in the episcopal church.

2. To appoint; to decree.

Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month. 1 Kings 12:32.

As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.

Acts 13:48.

3. To set; to establish; to institute; to constitute.

Mulmutius ordained our laws.

4. To set apart for an office; to appoint.

Jesus ordained twelve that they should be with him. Mark 3:14.

5. To appoint; to prepare.

For Tophet is ordained of old. Isaiah 30:33.