Enjoin Meaning
/ɛnˈd͡ʒɔɪn/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo lay upon, as an order or command; to give an injunction to; to direct with authority; to order; to charge.
verbTo prescribe under authority; to ordain.
Sentence Examples
I now enjoin you to take hands and make your vows.
Piper filed a bill to enjoin Brown from infringing two patents.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge will ____ the company from releasing confidential customer data.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court may ____ the company from continuing its illegal business practices.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English enjoinen, from Old French enjoindre (“to join with”), from Latin iniungo (“to attach”), a compound of in- (“into” “upon”) and iungo.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things:"
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ix]:
"to confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them […]"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Esther 9:31:
"At some landmark in the jungle the beater halted, pointed to the ground as a sign that this spot would do, and put his finger on his lips to enjoin silence."
— 1934, George Orwell, chapter 14, in Burmese Days:
"But to my surprise and no small concern, Queequeg now gave me to understand, that he had been diligently consulting Yojo—the name of his black little god—and Yojo had told him two or three times over, and strongly insisted upon it everyway, that instead of our going together among the whaling-fleet in harbor, and in concert selecting our craft; instead of this, I say, Yojo earnestly enjoined that the selection of the ship should rest wholly with me, inasmuch as Yojo purposed befriending us; [...]"
— 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 16, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 75:
"They [the Noahide laws] also enjoin the establishment of a just system of laws and courts."
— 2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 15:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge will ____ the company from releasing confidential customer data.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The court may ____ the company from continuing its illegal business practices.