ordinare

Ordinare is an Italian verb with several related meanings that depend on context. It is primarily used as a transitive verb and can denote giving a command, arranging things, placing an order for goods or services, prescribing medical tests or treatment, and, in a religious context, ordaining a person to a clerical office.

Etymology and usage were formed from the Latin ordinare, which derives from ordo, meaning order or arrangement. In modern Italian, ordinare retains the core sense of setting in order or directing action.

Main senses

- To command or issue an order: used when someone in authority directs others to act. For example, “Il comandante ha ordinato l’attacco.” This sense is closely related to “dare un ordine” and can appear with various subjects and objects.

- To arrange or organize: used for putting things in order or systematizing. Example: “ordinare i documenti sul tavolo” or “ordinare la casa.”

- To place an order: used when requesting goods or services. Example: “Ho ordinato una pizza” or “Puoi ordinare dal catalogo?”

- To prescribe or request medical tests or treatment: common in medical contexts. Example: “Il medico ha ordinato esami del sangue” or “ha ordinato una dieta.”

- To ordain: used in religious contexts to confer holy orders. Example: “ordinare un sacerdote.”

Conjugation

Ordinare is a regular -are verb. Present tense forms: io ordino, tu ordini, lui/lei ordina, noi ordiniamo, voi ordinate, loro ordinano. Other common forms include ho ordinato (passato prossimo), ordinavo (imperfetto), ordinerò (futuro), ordinerei (condizionale), ordinando (gerund), and ordinato (participio passato).

Notes

The specific meaning is usually clear from the surrounding context, as the verb spans formal, administrative, culinary, medical, and religious domains.