ORDAINED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ordained mean? 

• ORDAINED (adjective)
  The adjective ORDAINED has 2 senses:

1. fixed or established especially by order or command

2. invested with ministerial or priestly functions

  Familiarity information: ORDAINED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ORDAINED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fixed or established especially by order or command

Synonyms:

appointed; decreed; ordained; prescribed

Context example:

at the time appointed (or the appointed time)

Similar:

settled (established or decided beyond dispute or doubt)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Invested with ministerial or priestly functions

Context example:

an ordained priest

Similar:

consecrate; consecrated; dedicated (solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high or sacred purpose)

 Context examples 

“Indeed, your high and mighty grace,” sneered one of the yeomen, “have you in sooth so ordained?”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I have been ordained,” cried the old rascal.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It seemed the ordained order of things that dogs should work.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It may be ordained that we have many nights and days to follow, if full of peril; but we must go on, and from no danger shall we shrink.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Ordained individuals who perform spiritual and/or religious functions.

(Clergy, NCI Dictionary)

How unlucky that you are not ordained; Mr. Rushworth and Maria are quite ready.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Ay, to be sure, he must be ordained in readiness; and I am very glad to find things are so forward between you.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I, who preached contentment with a humble lot, and justified the vocation even of hewers of wood and drawers of water in God's service—I, His ordained minister, almost rave in my restlessness.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He had found the law a most unprofitable study, and was now absolutely resolved on being ordained, if I would present him to the living in question—of which he trusted there could be little doubt, as he was well assured that I had no other person to provide for, and I could not have forgotten my revered father's intentions.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Being only 'a glorious human boy', of course he frolicked and flirted, grew dandified, aquatic, sentimental, or gymnastic, as college fashions ordained, hazed and was hazed, talked slang, and more than once came perilously near suspension and expulsion.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)