different between specify vs ordain

English

Etymology

From Old French specifier, especefier, or directly from Medieval Latin specific?, from specificus (“specific”).

Pronunciation

• (UK)IPA^(key): /?sp?s.?.fa?/
• (US)IPA^(key): /?sp?s.??fa?/
• Hyphenation: spe?ci?fy

Verb

specify (third-person singular simple present specifies, present participle specifying, simple past and past participle specified)

1. (transitive) To state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition.
2. (transitive) To include in a specification.
3. (transitive) To bring about a specific result.
4. (intransitive, obsolete) To speak explicitly or in detail (often used with of).

Synonyms

• explicitize
• disambiguate

Derived terms

• above-specified

Related terms

• specifiable
• specific
• specification

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English ordeynen, from Old French ordiner, from Latin ordinare (“to order”), from ordo (“order”). Doublet of ordinate.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /???de?n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???de?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n
• Hyphenation: or?dain

Verb

ordain (third-person singular simple present ordains, present participle ordaining, simple past and past participle ordained)

1. To prearrange unalterably.
2. To decree.
3. (religion) To admit into the ministry, for example as a priest, bishop, minister or Buddhist monk, or to authorize as a rabbi.
4. To predestine.

Conjugation

Synonyms

• foresay

Derived terms

• ordainment
• preordain

Related terms

• order

Translations

See also

• ordination

Further reading

• ordain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• ordain in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• ordain at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• Ardoin, Dorian, NORAID, Orinda, Rodina, donair, draino, inroad, radion, ranoid