Definition of: order

(ôr′dər) noun
1. Methodical and harmonious arrangement, as of successive things or as of military units in a formation.
2. Proper or working condition; available state.
3. A command or authoritative regulation.
4. Law Any direction of a court made to be entered of record in a cause, and not included in the final judgment.
5. A written commission or instruction to supply, purchase, or sell something.
6. Established use or customary procedure.
7. Established or existing state of things.
8. A class or body of persons united by some common bond, as for mutual insurance, protection, aid, social culture, etc.: the Order of Odd Fellows; a monastic or religious body: an order of mendicant friars.
9. A group of persons upon whom a government or sovereign has conferred an honor or dignity, and who are thus entitled to affix to their names designated initials and to wear specific insignia; also, the insignia worn as a sign of membership in such a group.
10. Social rank.
11. A class or kind of a common degree of excellence.
12. Usually plural Eccl. a Any of the various grades or degrees of the Christian ministry: also holy orders, sacred orders. In the Anglican Church, there are three orders: bishops, priests, and deacons. The Greek Church recognizes in addition subdeacons and readers. In the Roman Catholic Church, there are seven orders: priests (including bishops), deacons, subdeacons (the major orders), acolytes, exorcists, readers, and doorkeepers (the minor orders). b The rank or position of an ordained clergyman. c The rite or sacrament of ordination. d A liturgical form for a service or the performance of a rite: the order of confirmation.
13. Archit. a The general character of a column and its parts as distinguishing a style of architecture; a style of architecture. Usually there are considered to be five orders of classical architecture
—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite. b A column with its entablature.
14. Biol. A taxonomic category ranking next below the class, and above the family.
15. Math. A number expressing the degree of complexity of an algebraic expression.
16. Gram. The sequence of words in a sentence or construction.
17. The position of the rifle as a result of the command order arms.
18. Any one of the ancient nine grades of angels.
19. Obs. Suitable care; preparation: usually in the phrase to take order.
—in order
1. In accordance with rule; hence, apt; appropriate.
2. Neat; tidy.
—in order that So that; to the end that.
—in order to For the purpose of; to the end that.
—in short order Quickly; without delay.
—on order Ordered but not yet delivered.
—on the order of Similar to.
—out of order
1. Not in proper sequence or arrangement.
2. Not in good working condition.
3. Not in accord with established rule or procedure: a senator ruled out of order.
4. Uncalled–for; improper: The insinuation was out of order.
—to order According to the buyer's specifications: a shirt made to order.
—v.t.
1. To give a command or direction to.
2. To command to go, come, etc.: They ordered him out of the city.
3. To give an order that (something) be done; prescribe.
4. To give an order for: to order a new suit.
5. To put in orderly or systematic arrangment; regulate.
6. To ordain: He was ordered deacon.
—v.i.
7. To give an order or orders.
—to order arms Mil. To bring a rifle perpendicularly against the right side, with the butt on the ground. See synonyms under DICTATE, REGULATE. [<OF ordre <L ordo, -inis a row, series, an order]
—or′der·er noun
—or′der·less adjective Synonyms (noun): command, direction, directive, injunction, instruction, prohibition, requirement. Instruction implies more superiority of knowledge, direction more of authority; a teacher gives instructions to his pupils, an employer gives directions to his workmen; but the instructions of a superior regarding action are viewed as specific commands. A directive conveys all three of these
—instructions for action, directions for procedure, and command for performance. Order is more absolute still; soldiers and railroad employees have simply to obey the orders of their superiors. Command is a loftier word less frequent in common life: the commands of God. A requirement is imperative, but not always formal; it may be in the nature of things; as, the requirements of the position. Prohibition is a command not to do; injunction is now oftenest so used, especially as the requirement by legal authority that certain action be temporarily suspended or refrained from.