Adjacent Words

Order definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

OR'DER, n. [L. ordo.]
1. Regular disposition or methodical arrangement of things; a word of extensive application; as the order of troops or parade; the order of books in a library; the order of proceedings in a legislative assembly. Order is the life of business.
Good order is the foundation of all good things.
2. Proper state; as the muskets are all in good order. When the bodily organs are in order, a person is in health; when they are out of order, he is indisposed.
3. Adherence to the point in discussion, according to established rules of debate; as, the member is not in order, that is, he wanders from the question.
4. Established mode of proceeding. The motion is not in order.
5. Regularity; settled mode of operation.
This fact could not occur in the order of nature; it is against the natural order of things.
6. Mandate; precept; command; authoritative direction. I have received an order from the commander in chief. The general gave orders to march. There is an order of council to issue letters of marque.
7. Rule; regulation; as the rules and orders of a legislative house.
8. Regular government or discipline. It is necessary for society that good order should be observed. The meeting was turbulent; it was impossible to keep order.
9. Rank; class; division of men; as the order of nobles; the order of priests; the higher orders of society; men of the lowest order; order of knights; military orders, etc.
10. A religious fraternity; as the order of Benedictines.
11. A division of natural objects, generally intermediate between class and genus. The classes, in the Linnean artificial system, are divided into orders, which include one or more genera. Linne also arranged vegetables, in his natural system, into groups of genera, called order. In the natural system of Jussieu, orders are subdivisions of classes.
12. Measures; care. Take some order for the safety and support of the soldiers.
Provide me soldiers whilst I take order for my own affairs.
13. In rhetoric, the placing of words and members in a sentence in such a manner as to contribute to force and beauty of expression, or to the clear illustration of the subject.
14. The title of certain ancient books containing the divine office and manner of its performance.
15. In architecture, a system of several members, ornaments and proportions of columns and pilasters; or a regular arrangement of the projecting parts of a building, especially of the columns, so as to form one beautiful whole. The orders are five, the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite. The order consists of two principal members, the column, and the entablature, each of which is composed of three principal parts. Those of the column are the base, the shaft, and the capital; those of the entablature are the architrave, the frize, and the cornice. The height of the Tuscan column is 14 modules or semidiameters of the shaft at the bottom, and that os the entablature 3 1/2. The height of the Doric order is 16 modules and that of the entablature 4; that of the Ionic is 18 modules, and that of the entablature 4 1/2, that of the Corinthian order is 20 modules, and that of the entablature 5. The height of the Composite order agrees with that of the Corinthian.
In orders, set apart for the performance divine service; ordained to the work of the gospel ministry.
In order, for the purpose; to the end; as means to an end. The best knowledge is that which is of the greatest use in order to our eternal happiness.
General orders, the commands or notices which a military commander in chief issues to the troops under his command.
OR'DER, v.t.
1. To regulate; to methodize; to systemize; to adjust; to subject to system in management and execution; as, to order domestic affairs with prudence.
2. To lead; to conduct; to subject to rules or laws.
To him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God. Psalms 50.
3. to direct; to command. the general ordered his troops to advance.
4. To manage; to treat.
How shall we order the child? Judges 13.
5. To ordain. [Not used.]
6. To direct; to dispose in any particular manner.
Order my steps in thy word. Psalms 119.
OR'DER, v.i. to give command or direction.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed; "the British ships dropped anchor and waited for orders from London"
2: a degree in a continuum of size or quantity; "it was on the order of a mile"; "an explosion of a low order of magnitude" [syn: order, order of magnitude]
3: established customary state (especially of society); "order ruled in the streets"; "law and order" [ant: disorder]
4: logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements; "we shall consider these questions in the inverse order of their presentation" [syn: ordering, order, ordination]
5: a condition of regular or proper arrangement; "he put his desk in order"; "the machine is now in working order" [syn: orderliness, order] [ant: disorder, disorderliness]
6: a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge); "a friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there" [syn: decree, edict, fiat, order, rescript]
7: a commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities; "IBM received an order for a hundred computers" [syn: order, purchase order]
8: a formal association of people with similar interests; "he joined a golf club"; "they formed a small lunch society"; "men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today" [syn: club, social club, society, guild, gild, lodge, order]
9: a body of rules followed by an assembly [syn: order, rules of order, parliamentary law, parliamentary procedure]
10: (usually plural) the status or rank or office of a Christian clergyman in an ecclesiastical hierarchy; "theologians still disagree over whether `bishop' should or should not be a separate Order" [syn: Holy Order, Order]
11: a group of person living under a religious rule; "the order of Saint Benedict" [syn: order, monastic order]
12: (biology) taxonomic group containing one or more families
13: a request for something to be made, supplied, or served; "I gave the waiter my order"; "the company's products were in such demand that they got more orders than their call center could handle"
14: (architecture) one of original three styles of Greek architecture distinguished by the type of column and entablature used or a style developed from the original three by the Romans
15: the act of putting things in a sequential arrangement; "there were mistakes in the ordering of items on the list" [syn: order, ordering] v
1: give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority; "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed" [syn: order, tell, enjoin, say]
2: make a request for something; "Order me some flowers"; "order a work stoppage"
3: issue commands or orders for [syn: order, prescribe, dictate]
4: bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations; "We cannot regulate the way people dress"; "This town likes to regulate" [syn: regulate, regularize, regularise, order, govern] [ant: deregulate]
5: bring order to or into; "Order these files" [ant: disarray, disorder]
6: place in a certain order; "order the photos chronologically"
7: appoint to a clerical posts; "he was ordained in the Church" [syn: ordain, consecrate, ordinate, order]
8: arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events; "arrange my schedule"; "set up one's life"; "I put these memories with those of bygone times" [syn: arrange, set up, put, order]
9: assign a rank or rating to; "how would you rank these students?"; "The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide" [syn: rate, rank, range, order, grade, place]

Merriam Webster's

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

Britannica Concise

In Classical architecture, any of several styles defined by the particular type of column, base, capital, and entablature they use. There are five major orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (all developed in Greece), and Tuscan and Composite (developed in Rome). The form of the capital is an order's most distinguishing characteristic. Both the Doric and Ionic orders originated in wooden temples. The Doric is squat and simple. The Ionic, distinguished by the scrolls, or volutes, on its capital, resembles a capital I. The Corinthian capital is more ornate, with carved acanthus leaves and scrolls. The Romans modified the Greek orders to produce the Tuscan (a simplified form of the Doric) and Composite (a combination of the Ionic and Corinthian) orders. See also colossal order.

U.S. Military Dictionary

(*) A communication, written, oral, or by signal, which conveys instructions from a superior to a subordinate. (DOD only) In a broad sense, the terms "order" and "command" are synonymous. However, an order implies discretion as to the details of execution whereas a command does not.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

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). Phrases and idioms: by 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. Derivatives: orderer n. Etymology: ME f. OF ordre f. L ordo ordinis row, array, degree, command, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Series Se"ries, n. 1. (Bot.) In Engler's system of plant classification, a group of families showing certain structural or morphological relationships. It corresponds to the cohort of some writers, and to the order of many modern systematists. 2. (Elec.) A mode of arranging the separate parts of a circuit by connecting them successively end to end to form a single path for the current; -- opposed to parallel. The parts so arranged are said to be in series. 3. (Com.) A parcel of rough diamonds of assorted qualities.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Order Or"der, n. [OE. ordre, F. ordre, fr. L. ordo, ordinis. Cf. Ordain, Ordinal.] 1. Regular arrangement; any methodical or established succession or harmonious relation; method; system; as: (a) Of material things, like the books in a library. (b) Of intellectual notions or ideas, like the topics of a discource. (c) Of periods of time or occurrences, and the like. The side chambers were . . . thirty in order. --Ezek. xli. 6. Bright-harnessed angels sit in order serviceable. --Milton. Good order is the foundation of all good things. --Burke. 2. Right arrangement; a normal, correct, or fit condition; as, the house is in order; the machinery is out of order. --Locke. 3. The customary mode of procedure; established system, as in the conduct of debates or the transaction of business; usage; custom; fashion. --Dantiel. And, pregnant with his grander thought, Brought the old order into doubt. --Emerson. 4. Conformity with law or decorum; freedom from disturbance; general tranquillity; public quiet; as, to preserve order in a community or an assembly. 5. That which prescribes a method of procedure; a rule or regulation made by competent authority; as, the rules and orders of the senate. The church hath authority to establish that for an order at one time which at another time it may abolish. --Hooker. 6. A command; a mandate; a precept; a direction. Upon this new fright, an order was made by both houses for disarming all the papists in England. --Clarendon. 7. Hence: A commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods; a direction, in writing, to pay money, to furnish supplies, to admit to a building, a place of entertainment, or the like; as, orders for blankets are large. In those days were pit orders -- beshrew the uncomfortable manager who abolished them. --Lamb. 8. A number of things or persons arranged in a fixed or suitable place, or relative position; a rank; a row; a grade; especially, a rank or class in society; a group or division of men in the same social or other position; also, a distinct character, kind, or sort; as, the higher or lower orders of society; talent of a high order. They are in equal order to their several ends. --Jer. Taylor. Various orders various ensigns bear. --Granville. Which, to his order of mind, must have seemed little short of crime. --Hawthorne.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Order Or"der, v. i. To give orders; to issue commands.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Order Or"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ordered; p pr. & vb. n. Ordering.] [From Order, n.] 1. To put in order; to reduce to a methodical arrangement; to arrange in a series, or with reference to an end. Hence, to regulate; to dispose; to direct; to rule. To him that ordereth his conversation aright. --Ps. 1. 23. Warriors old with ordered spear and shield. --Milton. 2. To give an order to; to command; as, to order troops to advance. 3. To give an order for; to secure by an order; as, to order a carriage; to order groceries. 4. (Eccl.) To admit to holy orders; to ordain; to receive into the ranks of the ministry. These ordered folk be especially titled to God. --Chaucer. Persons presented to be ordered deacons. --Bk. of Com. Prayer. Order arms (Mil.), the command at which a rifle is brought to a position with its but resting on the ground; also, the position taken at such a command.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Note: In modern law, proposal and acceptance are the constituent elements into which all contracts are resolved. Acceptance of a bill of exchange, check, draft, or order, is an engagement to pay it according to the terms. This engagement is usually made by writing the word ``accepted'' across the face of the bill. Acceptance of goods, under the statute of frauds, is an intelligent acceptance by a party knowing the nature of the transaction. 6. Meaning; acceptation. [Obs.] Acceptance of persons, partiality, favoritism. See under Accept.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION USES Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you do something in order to achieve a particular thing or in order that something can happen, you do it because you want to achieve that thing. Most schools are extremely unwilling to cut down on staff in order to cut costs. PHRASE 2. If someone must be in a particular situation in order to achieve something they want, they cannot achieve that thing if they are not in that situation. They need hostages in order to bargain with the government. PHRASE 3. If something must happen in order for something else to happen, the second thing cannot happen if the first thing does not happen. In order for their computers to trace a person's records, they need both the name and address of the individual. PHRASE: CONJ n to-inf II. COMMANDS AND REQUESTS (orders, ordering, ordered) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Please look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. If a person in authority orders someone to do something, they tell them to do it. Williams ordered him to leave... He ordered the women out of the car... 'Let him go!' he ordered... 'Go up to your room. Now,' he ordered him. = command VERB: V n to-inf, V n prep/adv, V with quote, V n with quote 2. If someone in authority orders something, they give instructions that it should be done. The President has ordered a full investigation... The radio said that the prime minister had ordered price controls to be introduced... He ordered that all party property be confiscated... The President ordered him moved because of fears that his comrades would try to free him. VERB: V n, V n to-inf, V that, V n -ed 3. If someone in authority gives you an order, they tell you to do something. The activists were shot when they refused to obey an order to halt... As darkness fell, Clinton gave orders for his men to rest... They were later arrested and executed on the orders of Stalin. = command, instruction N-COUNT 4. A court order is a legal instruction stating that something must be done. She has decided not to appeal against a court order banning her from keeping animals... He was placed under a two-year supervision order. N-COUNT: usu supp N 5. When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought to you, sent to you, or obtained for you. Atanas ordered a shrimp cocktail and a salad... The waitress appeared. 'Are you ready to order?'... We ordered him a beer. VERB: V n, V, V n n 6. An order is a request for something to be brought, made, or obtained for you in return for money. British Rail are going to place an order for a hundred and eighty-eight trains. N-COUNT: oft N for n 7. Someone's order is what they have asked to be brought, made, or obtained for them in return for money. The waiter returned with their order and Graham signed the bill... They can't supply our order. N-COUNT: poss N 8. see also holy orders, mail order, postal order, standing order 9. Something that is on order at a shop or factory has been asked for but has not yet been supplied. The airlines still have 2,500 new aeroplanes on order. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 10. If you do something to order, you do it whenever you are asked to do it. She now makes wonderful dried flower arrangements to order... PHRASE: PHR after v 11. If you are under orders to do something, you have been told to do it by someone in authority. I am under orders not to discuss his mission or his location with anyone. PHRASE: v-link PHR to-inf 12. your marching orders: see march a tall order: see tall III. ARRANGEMENTS, SITUATIONS, AND GROUPINGS (orders, ordering, ordered) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. Please look at category 17 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. If a set of things are arranged or done in a particular order, they are arranged or done so one thing follows another, often according to a particular factor such as importance. Write down (in order of priority) the qualities you'd like to have... Music shops should arrange their recordings in simple alphabetical order, rather than by category... N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu with supp, oft in/into N 2. Order is the situation that exists when everything is in the correct or expected place, or happens at the correct or expected time. The wish to impose order upon confusion is a kind of intellectual instinct... Making lists can create order and control. ? confusion, chaos N-UNCOUNT 3. Order is the situation that exists when people obey the law and do not fight or riot. Troops were sent to the islands to restore order last November... He has the power to use force to maintain public order. N-UNCOUNT 4. When people talk about a particular order, they mean the way society is organized at a particular time. The end of the Cold War has produced the prospect of a new world order based on international co-operation... N-SING: with supp 5. The way that something is ordered is the way that it is organized and structured. ...a society which is ordered by hierarchy... We know the French order things differently. ...a carefully ordered system in which everyone has his place. VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed 6. If you refer to something of a particular order, you mean something of a particular kind. (FORMAL) Another unexpected event, though of quite a different order, occurred one evening in 1973... N-COUNT: with supp, usu of supp N 7. A religious order is a group of monks or nuns who live according to a particular set of rules. ...the Benedictine order of monks. N-COUNT 8. see also ordered, law and order, pecking order, point of order 9. If you put or keep something in order, you make sure that it is tidy or properly organized. Now he has a chance to put his life back in order... Someone comes in every day to check all is in order. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR 10. If you think something is in order, you think it should happen or be provided. Reforms are clearly in order... PHRASE: v-link PHR 11. You use in the order of or of the order of when mentioning an approximate figure. They borrowed something in the order of £10 million... PREP-PHRASE: PREP amount 12. If something is in good order, it is in good condition. The vessel's safety equipment was not in good order. PHRASE: v-link PHR 13. A machine or device that is in working order is functioning properly and is not broken. Only half of the spacecraft's six science instruments are still in working order. PHRASE: v-link PHR 14. If a particular way of behaving or doing something is the order of the day, it is very common. These are strange times in which we live, and strange arrangements appear to be the order of the day. PHRASE: v-link PHR 15. A machine or device that is out of order is broken and does not work. Their phone's out of order. PHRASE: v-link PHR 16. If you say that someone or their behaviour is out of order, you mean that their behaviour is unacceptable or unfair. (INFORMAL) You don't think the paper's a bit out of order in publishing it? PHRASE: v-link PHR 17. to put your house in order: see house order of magnitude: see magnitude

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or'-der (`arakh, "to arrange"; tassein ( diatassein, taxis, tagma)): "Order" in Biblical phrases may indicate

(1) arrangement in rows,

(2) sequence in time,

(3) classification and organization,

(4) likeness or manner,

(5) regulation, direction or command, or

(6) the declaring of a will.

In many passages it is difficult if not impossible to determine from the English text alone in which of these senses the word is used.

1. Arrangement in Rows:

The fundamental idea suggested by the Hebrew, Greek and English words is that of arrangement in rows. Thus "order" is used in the Bible of arranging wood for an altar (Le 1:7; 1Ki 18:33; compare Hebrew Ge 22:9; Isa 30:33); of laying out flax-stalks for drying (Jos 2:6); of preparing offerings (Le 1:8,12; compare Lu 6:5; Jud 6:26); of arranging lamps (Ex 27:21; 39:37; Le 24:3,4; compare Ps 132:17); of placing the shewbread on the table (Ex 40:4,23; Le 6:12; 24:8; 2Ch 13:11); of drawing up the battle array (1Ch 12:38 (Hebrew 39, `adhar)); and of arranging weapons in order for battle (Jer 46:3, the American Standard Revised Version "prepare"). As a verb "to order" in the older versions usually has the obsolete sense "to arrange" and not the more usual English meanings, "to demand" or "to direct." Thus: "In the tent of meeting shall Aaron order it" (Le 24:4, the American Standard Revised Version "keep in order"); "Order ye the buckler and shield" (Jer 46:3; compare Ps 119:133; Job 23:4, the American Standard Revised Version "set in order"; Judith 2:16; The Wisdom of Solomon 8:1; 15:1; Ecclesiasticus 2:6). The Hebrew pa`am (literally, "hoof-beat," "occurrence," "repetition") in the plural conveys the idea of an architectural plan (Eze 41:6). Another word, shalabh, literally, "to join," in connection with the tabernacle, has in some versions been translated as including the idea of orderly arrangement (Ex 26:17). The word "order" standing by itself may mean orderly or proper arrangement (1 Esdras 1:10; The Wisdom of Solomon 7:29; 1 Macc 6:40; Col 2:5). Akin to the idea of arranging things in a row is that of arranging words (Job 33:5; 37:19; Ps 5:3), of recounting things in order (Isa 44:7; Lu 1:1 the King James Version (diatassein); Lu 1:3; Ac 11:4 (kathexes)), of setting forth a legal case (Job 23:4; 13:18; compare Ps 50:21). From the idea of arranging in order for the purpose of comparison the Hebrew `arakh acquires the meaning "to compare" (Isa 40:18; Ps 89:7). This is clearly the meaning of 'en `arokh 'elekha (Ps 40:5 (Hebrew 6)), where "They cannot be set in order unto thee" must be interpreted to mean "There is nothing that can be compared unto thee."

2. Sequence in Time:

As the fundamental meaning of `arakh is arrangement in space, that of cadhar is order or sequence in time. In later Hebrew cedher was used in the sense of "program." In Job 10:22 lo' cedharim, absence of regularity, in the description of the uncertain period that follows death probably means "confusion in time." (The Septuagint (pheggos) suggests, in the place of cedharim, a word for "light," possibly tsohorayim.) In the New Testament we find "order" used of time in connection with the resurrection of the dead (1Co 15:23 (tagma)) and of a succession of places visited (Ac 18:23 (kathexes)). The phrase "in order unto" (Ps 119:38) expresses causal sequence and hence, purpose.

3. Classification and Organization:

The idea of classification is present in the Hebrew taqan, translated "set in order," with reference to a collection of proverbs (Ec 12:9). The same stem is used with reference to the arranging of singers before the altar (Hebrew Ecclesiasticus 47:9), The classification of priests according to their service is spoken of as "ordering" (1Ch 24:3,19, Hebrew paqadh). Next to the high priests ranked priests of the second order (mishneh, 2Ki 23:4; compare 25:18 parallel Jer 52:24). The related concept of organization is present where the Hebrew kun (literally, "to establish".) is translated "order" (Isa 9:7 the King James Version, "to establish" the American Standard Revised Version; Ps 119:133; 2Ch 29:35; compare 1 Macc 16:14). A similar use of the term "order" is found in the New Testament in connection with the organization of the affairs of the church (1Co 16:1 (diatassein); Tit 1:5 (epidiorthoo); 1Co 11:34).

4. Likeness or Manner:

"Order," in the sense of likeness or manner, is used in the phrase "after the order of Melchisedek" to translate the Hebrew `al dibherath, or rather the archaic form `al dibherathi (Ps 110:4), which in other passages is translated "because of" (compare Ec 3:18; 7:14; 8:2). This well-known phrase is rendered in Septuagint kata ten taxin, a translation adopted in Heb 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:11,17, where the passage from Psalm is made the basis of an extended argument, in the course of which "order" is taken in the sense of "likeness" (Heb 7:16).

5. Regulation, Direction, Command:

In the sense of regulation, we find "order" as a translation of mishpaT (which is literally, "the ruling of a shopheT," whether as a judicial decree or legislative act) in connection with the conduct of priests (1Ch 6:32 (Hebrew 17); 2Ch 30:16; compare Lu 1:8; 1 Esdras 1:6), and with reference to the Nazirite regulations in the story of Samson (Jud 13:12, the Revised Version (British and American) "manner"), church services (1Co 14:40) and, in the older English VSS, with reference to other ritual matters (1Ch 15:13; 23:31; 2Ch 8:14, the American Standard Revised Version "ordinance"). The phrase `al yadh, literally, "according to the hand of," translated in Ezr 3:10; 1Ch 25:2 b,3,6 twice in various ways, means "under the direction of," or "under the order of," as translated in the last instance. The modern sense of "command" is suggested here and in several other instances (1 Esdras 8:10; 1 Macc 9:55). He "that ordereth his conversation aright" (sam derekh, Ps 50:23) is probably one who chooses the right path and directs his steps along it. "Who shall order the battle?" (1Ki 20:14) is corrected in the American Standard Revised Version: "Who shall begin the battle?" (compare 2Ch 13:3, Hebrew 'acar, literally, "to bind," hence, "to join" or "begin"; compare proelium committere).

6. Declaring of Last Will:

The phrase "to set one's house in order" (Isa 38:1 parallel 2Ki 20:1; 2Sa 17:23), used of Hezekiah and Ahithophel, in contemplation of death, means to give final instructions to one's household or to make one's will. The Hebrew tsawah used in this phrase is the stem found in the later Hebrew tsawwa'ah, "a verbal will" (Babha' Bathra' 147a, 151b; BDB). Great moral weight was attached in Biblical times to the charges laid upon a household by a deceased father or remoter ancestor, not only as to the disposition of property but also as to personal conduct. (Compare the case of the Rechabites, where the same Hebrew expression is used, tsiwwah `alenu, Jer 35:6.)

Nathan Isaacs

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Method, regularity, symmetry, regular arrangement, disposition. 2. Fit condition, proper state. 3. Regulation, rule, canon, prescription, law, standing rule. 4. Regular government, public tranquillity, peace, quiet, discipline. 5. Mandate, precept, injunction, command, direction, instruction. 6. Rank, class, grade, degree, kind. 7. (Bot.) Family, tribe. 8. (Zool.) Sub-class, subordinate class. 9. Fraternity, society, brotherhood, community, class. 10. Commission, direction. 11. Succession, sequence. II. v. a. 1. Regulate, arrange, systematize, adjust, methodize. 2. Manage, conduct, carry on. 3. Command, instruct, direct, bid, require, give an order to. 4. Ordain.

Moby Thesaurus

Bronze Star Medal, Croix de Guerre, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Unit Citation, MO, Medaille Militaire, Military Cross, Navy Cross, Unit Citation, Victoria Cross, act on, action, adherents, adjust, adjustment, affiliation, algorithm, align, allocation, allotment, alphabetize, alternation, amendment, analyze, animal kingdom, antonomasia, apostolic orders, apply for, appointment, apportionment, appositeness, approach, appropriate, appropriateness, approximation, apt, aptness, arrange, arranged, arrangement, array, arraying, ashram, ask, ask for, association, assort, attack, auspiciousness, authorization, award, bad condition, balance, be responsible for, beauty, beg leave, behest, bespeak, bid, bidding, binomial nomenclature, biosystematics, biosystematy, biotype, blackmail, blood, blue ribbon, body, bracket, branch, break down, breed, briefing, broken, 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