1. (

• ordain ,
• enact

) order by virtue of superior authority; decree; "The King ordained the persecution and expulsion of the Jews"; "the legislature enacted this law in 1985" ;

2. (

• ordain ,
• consecrate ,
• ordinate ,
• order ,

) appoint to a clerical posts; "he was ordained in the Church" ;

3. (

• ordain ,

) invest with ministerial or priestly authority; "The minister was ordained only last month" ;

4. (

• ordain

) issue an order ;