Word of the Day Archive
Tuesday December 4, 2001
enjoin \en-JOIN\
, transitive verb:
1. To direct or impose with authority; to order.
2. To prohibit; to forbid.
While the Qur'an contains a number of references, some direct and some oblique, to the other four pillars, in only one place does it specifically enjoin fasting during the month of Ramadan: "O you faithful, fasting is ordained for you in the same way that it was ordained for those who came before you, so that you may fear God. . . . It was during the month of Ramadan that the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for humanity. . . . Whoever among you sees the moon, then he should fast, but the one who is sick or on a journey, [can fast] an equal number of other days" (Sura 2:183-85).
-- Jane I. Smith, Islam in America
Few judges were friendly to unions, as demonstrated by a steady stream of decisions enjoining strikes, boycotts, picket lines, and other collective actions.
-- Sanford M. Jacoby, Modern Manors
Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins,
That I should mind thee oft; and mind thou me.
-- John Milton, Paradise Lost
Enjoin derives from Old French enjoindre, from Latin injungere, "to attach, to fasten to; also, to bring upon," from in- + jungere, "to join."
Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for enjoin
