ordain

To ordain something isn't just to decide it. It means to formally declare or appoint it, often with a sense of power or destiny. Historically, this word referred specifically to giving someone holy orders, such as making them a priest. But the word has broadened. A king might ordain a new law, or fate might seem to ordain certain events in your life. Think of it as something being set into motion by a higher power or authority.

If you were living in medieval times, a king might ordain laws for his people. Today, we might say that destiny ordained someone for greatness, meaning their path was set in advance. You can also use it figuratively: "It seemed ordained that they would meet," suggesting that the outcome felt inevitable.

The word "ordain" carries a weight of authority and often implies a sense of inevitability or divine purpose. Originally, it meant to formally consecrate someone as a minister, priest, or other religious leader—essentially bestowing upon them the sacred duty to perform religious rites. This remains a common usage today: "He was ordained a deacon after years of study."

However, "ordain" has expanded beyond strictly religious contexts. It can also mean to formally enact or establish something, such as a law or decree. For example, the U.S. Constitution famously states the intention to "ordain and establish" a framework for government. This usage emphasizes the official, authoritative nature of the decision.

More broadly, "ordain" suggests that something is predetermined or destined to happen, as if by fate or a higher power. You might say, "It was ordained that they would meet," implying their encounter wasn't accidental but part of a larger plan. This usage often carries a poetic or dramatic tone, elevating a simple event to something that feels significant or unavoidable.

The root of the word comes from the Latin ordinare, meaning "to arrange" or "set in order." So whether it's establishing religious authority, enacting laws, or suggesting an inevitable future, to ordain is to formally set something into being with a profound sense of power and purpose.