ordenar

Ordenar is a Spanish verb with several related senses centered on arranging, directing, or regulating. In its most common use, it means colocar o disponer cosas en un orden, or fanatically: organizar, clasificar o distribuir elementos according to a criterion (por fecha, alfabético, por tamaño, etc.). It also covers arreglar o poner en regla un sistema, un archivo o una colección, y ordenar una lista de datos para facilitar su consulta. Additionally, in everyday speech it can mean solicitar que se prepare o sirva algo, as in pedir comida en un restaurante.

In a sense of authority, ordenar can mean emitir una orden o mandato: “el juez ordenó la entrega,” “el jefe ordenó al personal que permaneciera en silencio.” This use expresses commands coming from someone with authority and can apply to administrative, legal or military contexts. In religious contexts, ordenar also denotes la acción de conferir órdenes sagradas a alguien, como ordenar sacerdotes o diáconos.

Computed and technical uses include sorting or ordering data according to a criterion, commonly described as the act of ordenar una lista o aunar varios elementos mediante un algoritmo de ordenamiento. More generally, ordenar also implies planificar, regular o estructurar acciones, normas o procedimientos para garantizar el funcionamiento ordenado de una organización.

Etymology: the verb derives from Latin ordinare, from ordo, ordinis “order.” Its cognates exist in other Romance languages, reflecting the same core idea of arranging, directing or regulating.