ordain

ordain Definition

or·dain (ôr dān′)

transitive verb

Etymology: ME ordeinen < OFr ordener < L ordinare, to arrange (in LL(Ec), to ordain as a priest) < L ordo, order

intransitive verb

to command; decree

ordain Related Forms

or·dain′er noun or·dain′·ment noun

ordain Synonyms

To establish
install, institute, appoint; see enact.
To destine
determine, foreordain, intend; see predetermine.
To invest with priestly functions
install, confer holy orders upon, consecrate, anoint, frock, delegate, invest; see also bless 3.

ordain Usage Examples

Object

deacon: Also ordained deacon on Sunday 2nd July, the Revd.
priest: He was ordained priest on the 16th of May 1818.
ministry: I have been in full time ordained ministry in the Church of England for nearly two years.
minister: He is an ordained minister of the gospel of Christ.
clergy: The Church of Ireland Catalyst group issued the call in a letter, reported to be signed by 160 ordained clergy.
bishop: Bishop Dominic reveals: When I was ordained a bishop, one of the senior bishops advised me not to wear an empty cross.

Subject

bishop: Those who have been clergy may, if suitable, be ordained by the Catholic bishop.

Preposition: as

deacon: Born in Durham 49 years ago, Myrtle Poxon went to theological college aged 20 before being ordained as a deacon.
priest: He became a deacon at just 19 and was ordained as a priest at the age of 30.
monk: I ordained as a monk on December 6, 1986 at 3:00 p.m. , as close as I can judge it.
minister: He worked as a lawyer in Memphis before being ordained as a Baptist minister.

Modifying Another Word

divinely: We give up the notion of a divinely ordained hierarchical universe that we just slot into.
newly: Curate Training A program of training is offered to the newly ordained in the diocese.
before: They thought that church was sissy and not for them long before ordained women were even a twinkle in Synod's eye.
properly: In San Jose, diocese officials warned that a woman priest there was not properly ordained.
recently: Jessica Martin is College Lecturer and Director of Studies in English, and was recently ordained a deacon.
fully: A successful scholar, Witherspoon entered university at only fourteen and became a fully ordained minister at twenty.

Infinitive complement

serve: The majority are Anglicans and on completion of their academic study in June they will be ordained to serve as deacons in their churches.

Preposition: in

diocese: Curate Training A program of training is offered to the newly ordained in the diocese.

Preposition: by

bishop: Those who have been clergy may, if suitable, be ordained by the Catholic bishop.

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