Dictionary

enjoin

verb en·join \in-ˈjin, en-\

: to direct or order (someone) to do something

: to prevent (someone) from doing something; especially : to give a legal order preventing (someone) from doing something

Full Definition of ENJOIN

transitive verb
1
:  to direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition <enjoined us to be careful>
2
a :  forbid, prohibit <was enjoined by conscience from telling a lie>
b :  to prohibit by a judicial order :  put an injunction on <a book had been enjoined prior to publication — David Margolick>
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of ENJOIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French enjoindre, from Latin injungere, from in- + jungere to join — more at yoke
First Known Use: 13th century

Synonym Discussion of ENJOIN

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority <a general commanding troops>. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise <ordered his employees about like slaves>. bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants) <she bade him be seated>. enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude <a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet>. direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality <directed her assistant to hold all calls> <the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark>. charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility <charged by the President with a secret mission>.

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: enjoinderPrevious Word in the Dictionary: enjewelAll Words Near: enjoin
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears