Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OR-DAIN, v. [L. ordino, from ordo, order; Fr. ordonner; It. ordinare; Sp. ordenar; Ir. orduighim.]

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 xii. As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. Acts xiii. The fatal tent, / The scene of death and place ordained for punishment. Dryden.
3. To set; to establish; to institute; to constitute. Mulmutius / Ordained our laws. Shak.
4. To set apart for an office; to appoint. Jesus ordained twelve that they should be with him. Mark iii.
5. To appoint; to prepare. For Tophet is ordained of old. Is. xxx.