noun a decree or order
verb to decree or enact by law or order
In political contexts, 'ordain' may be used to signify the official appointment or recognition of a government official or leader.
In religious contexts, 'ordain' is used to describe the act of conferring holy orders or appointing someone as a minister, priest, or rabbi.
In legal contexts, 'ordain' may refer to the establishment or enactment of laws or regulations.
In educational contexts, 'ordain' can be used to describe the authorization or approval of a curriculum or academic program by an accrediting body.
In the context of a writer, 'ordain' may be used to describe the act of officially authorizing or decreeing something in a literary work, such as ordaining a new law or rule within the fictional world created by the writer.
In psychology, 'ordain' may be used to refer to the process of formally recognizing or acknowledging a particular theory, principle, or concept as valid or significant within the field of psychology. For example, a psychologist may ordain a new approach to therapy based on empirical evidence and research findings.
For a clergy member, 'ordain' is commonly used to describe the official appointment or consecration of a person as a religious leader, such as a priest, minister, or rabbi. The act of ordaining someone typically involves a formal ceremony or ritual that signifies their acceptance of the responsibilities and duties associated with their religious role.
In the context of a judge, 'ordain' may be used to describe the act of officially declaring or establishing a legal decision, ruling, or precedent. Judges may ordain a new legal principle or interpretation that sets a precedent for future cases within their jurisdiction.