ˈɔ:də n. & v. --n. 1 a
the condition in
which every part,
unit, etc. is in
its right place; tidiness (restored
some semblance of order). b a usu. specified
sequence,
succession, etc. (alphabetical order; the order of events). 2 (in
sing. or pl.) an
authoritative command,
direction,
instruction, etc. (only obeying orders;
gave orders
for it to be
done; the
judge made an order). 3 a
state of
peaceful harmony under a constituted
authority (order
was restored;
law and order). 4 (esp. in pl.) a
social class, rank,
etc., constituting a
distinct group in
society (the lower orders; the order of baronets). 5 a kind; a
sort (talents of a
high order). 6 a a usu.
written direction to a manufacturer,
tradesman,
waiter, etc. to supply
something. b the
quantity of goods etc. supplied. 7 the
constitution or
nature of the
world, society, etc. (the
moral order; the order of things). 8 Biol. a taxonomic rank
below a class and
above a
family. 9 (esp. Order) a
fraternity of monks and friars, or
formerly of knights, bound by a
common rule of
life (the
Franciscan order; the order of Templars). 10 a
any of the grades of the
Christian ministry. b (in pl.) the
status of a
member of the
clergy (Anglican orders). 11 a any of the
five classical styles of
architecture (Doric,
Ionic,
Corinthian,
Tuscan, and Composite) based on the proportions of columns,
amount of
decoration, etc. b any
style or
mode of architecture
subject to
uniform established proportions. 12 (esp. Order) a a
company of
distinguished people instituted
esp. by a
sovereign to which appointments are made as an
honour or
reward (Order of the
Garter; Order of Merit). b the
insignia worn by members of an order. 13
Math. a a
degree of complexity of a
differential equation (equation of the
first order). b the order of the highest
derivative in the equation. 14 Math. a the size of a
matrix. b the
number of elements of a
finite group. 15 Eccl. the stated
form of
divine service (the order of confirmation). 16 the principles of
procedure,
decorum, etc., accepted by a
meeting,
legislative assembly, etc. or enforced by its
president. 17
Mil. a a style of
dress and
equipment (review order). b (prec. by the) the
position of a company etc.
with arms ordered (see order arms). 18 a
Masonic or
similar fraternity. 19 any of the
nine grades of
angelic beings (seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations, principalities, powers, virtues, archangels, angels). 20 a pass admitting the
bearer to a
theatre,
museum,
private house, etc.
free or
cheap or as a
privilege. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by to + infin., or
that + clause) command;
bid;
prescribe (ordered
him to go; ordered that
they should be sent). 2 command or
direct (a person) to a specified
destination (was ordered to Singapore; ordered
them home). 3 direct a manufacturer, waiter, tradesman, etc. to supply (ordered a
new suit; ordered dinner). 4 put in order;
regulate (ordered
her affairs). 5 (of
God,
fate, etc.)
ordain (fate ordered it otherwise). 6 US command (a thing) done or (a person)
dealt with (ordered it settled; ordered him expelled). øby order
according to the
proper authority.
holy orders the status of a member of the clergy, esp. the grades of
bishop,
priest, and
deacon. in
bad (or
good etc.) order
not working (or working
properly etc.). in order 1
one after another according to some
principle. 2
ready or fit for
use. 3 according to the rules (of procedure at a meeting etc.). in order that with the
intention; so that. in order to with the
purpose of
doing; with a
view to.
keep order
enforce orderly behaviour. made to order 1 made according to
individual requirements, measurements, etc. (opp. ready-made). 2
exactly what is wanted.
minor orders RC
Ch.
hist. the grades of members of the clergy below that of deacon. not in order not working properly. of (or in or on) the order of 1 approximately. 2 having the order of
magnitude specified by (of the order of one in a million). on order (of goods etc.) ordered but not
yet received. order
about 1
dominate; command officiously. 2
send hither and
thither. order arms Mil. hold a rifle with its butt on the ground close to one's right
side. order
book 1 a book in which a tradesman enters orders. 2 the
level of
incoming orders. order-form a printed form in which details are entered by a
customer. Order in
Council Brit. a sovereign's order on an
administrative matter given by the
advice of the
Privy Council. Order of the
Bath (or Garter or Merit)
each of
several honours conferred by the sovereign for services etc. to the State. order of the
day 1 the prevailing state of things. 2 a
principal topic of
action or a procedure
decided upon. 3
business set down for
treatment; a
programme. order of magnitude a class in a
system of classification
determined by size, usu. by powers of 10. Order! Order! Parl. a
call for
silence or
calm, esp. by the
Speaker of the House of
Commons. order-paper esp. Parl. a written or printed order of the day; an
agenda. order to view a house-agent's
request for a
client to be allowed to
inspect premises.
out of order 1 not working properly. 2 not according to the rules (of a meeting,
organization, etc.).
take orders 1
accept commissions. 2 accept and
carry out commands. 3 (also take holy orders) be ordained. øøorderer n. [ME f. OF ordre f. L ordo ordinis row,
array, degree, command, etc.]