order

I. verb (ordered; ordering) Etymology: Middle English, from ordre, noun Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. to put in order ; arrange 2. a. to give an order to ; command b. destine, ordain <

so ordered by the gods

> c. to command to go or come to a specified place <

ordered back to the base

> d. to give an order for <

order a meal

> intransitive verb 1. to bring about order ; regulate 2. a. to issue orders ; command b. to give or place an order • orderable adjective • orderer noun Synonyms: order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other. order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion <

ordered her business affairs

>. arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment <

arranged the files numerically

>. marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use <

marshaling the facts for argument

>. organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function <

organized the volunteers into teams

>. systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme <

systematized billing procedures

>. methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme <

methodizes every aspect of daily living

>. Synonym: see in addition command. II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ordre, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ordin-, ordo ecclesiastical order, from Latin, arrangement, group, class; akin to Latin ordiri to lay the warp, begin Date: 14th century 1. a. a group of people united in a formal way: as (1) a fraternal society <

the Masonic Order

> (2) a community under a religious rule; especially one requiring members to take solemn vows b. a badge or medal of such a society; also a military decoration 2. a. any of the several grades of the Christian ministry b. plural the office of a person in the Christian ministry c. plural ordination 3. a. a rank, class, or special group in a community or society b. a class of persons or things grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics: as (1) a category of taxonomic classification ranking above the family and below the class (2) the broadest category in soil classification 4. a. (1) rank, level <

a statesman of the first order

> (2) category, class <

in emergencies of this order — R. B. Westerfield

> b. (1) the arrangement or sequence of objects or of events in time <

listed the items in order of importance

> <

the batting order

> (2) a sequential arrangement of mathematical elements c. degree 12a, b d. (1) the number of times differentiation is applied successively <

derivatives of higher order

> (2) of a differential equation the order of the derivative of highest order e. the number of columns or rows or columns and rows in a magic square, determinant, or matrix <

the order of a matrix with 2 rows and 3 columns is 2 by 3

> f. the number of elements in a finite mathematical group 5. a. (1) a sociopolitical system <

was opposed to changes in the established order

> (2) a particular sphere or aspect of a sociopolitical system <

the present economic order

> b. a regular or harmonious arrangement <

the order of nature

> 6. a. a prescribed form of a religious service ; rite b. the customary mode of procedure especially in debate <

point of order

> 7. a. the state of peace, freedom from confused or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority <

promised to restore law and order

> b. a specific rule, regulation, or authoritative direction ; command 8. a. a style of building b. a type of column and entablature forming the unit of a style 9. a. state or condition especially with regard to functioning or repair <

things were in terrible order

> b. a proper, orderly, or functioning condition <

their passports were in order

> <

the phone is out of order

> 10. a. a written direction to pay money to someone b. a commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods or to perform work c. goods or items bought or sold d. an assigned or requested undertaking <

landing men on the moon was a tall order

> 11. order of the day <

flat roofs were the order in the small villages

> • orderless adjective