/enjoin/

/enjoin/

Verb.

Pronunciation and accent: ɛndʒɔɪn. 

Etymology: from Old French enjoindre, from Latin injungere (= to join on, to impose something, enjoin), which is analysed into in- (prefix) + jungere (= to join).

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1200.

-) Preterite tense: enjoined. Preterite participle: enjoined.

-) Present participle: enjoining.

Transitively: 1. Obsolete: to join.

2. To ask someone injunctively, authoritatively or compellingly to do (something); to address an injunction or instruction to someone for him to do (something).

Translation: enjoindre, in French; imponer, in Spanish; ingiungere, in Italian.

-) Without personal object. The object direct is a noun, a clause or (rarely) an infinitive.

The pilot now, in deep hoarse accents, strictly enjoined that no one should speak or move till they were safely out at sea.

Fanny Burney… The Wanderer 1814

[…] he had expressly enjoined that he should not be buried with his family. 

Washington Irving… Tales of a traveller 1824

She perceived at a glance that Mr. Monroe was asleep; and, placing her finger upon her lip to enjoin silence, she put a note into Ellen's hand, saying at the same time in a low whisper, " Mr. Wentworth's servant has just brought this, with a request that it should be immediately conveyed to you, Miss."

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

Ada pressed his arm significantly, as if to enjoin silence.

Hannah Jones… Trials of love 1848

Silence was then enjoined by Sir John Finett, who had stationed himself on the steps of the stage, and at this command the assemblage became comparatively quiet…

William Ainsworth… The Lancashire Witches 1848

[…] it was enjoined to make war on all who refused them.

William Prescott… Ferdinand… 1849

It was specially enjoined that the things should be placed at Ashlydyat in the old spots where they had formerly stood.

Henry Wood… The Shadow of Ashlydyat 1863

-) Particular syntax: with the preposition on, or upon, or formerly to, before the noun of the person enjoined. The object direct is either a noun or an infinitive.

Miss Lardner, confounded at this strange intelligence, made further inquiry; enjoining secrecy to the servant she had sent, as well as to the gentleman whom she employed…

Samuel Richardson… Clarissa 1748

… Spenser was probably only performing the task enjoined to him by the leaders of the cabinet.

Agnes Strickland… Queens of England 1840

Let me enjoin it upon you to attend constantly and steadfastly to the precepts and instructions of your father, as you value the happiness of your mother and your own welfare.

Familiar Letters of John Adams 1875

Enjoin it upon him never to disgrace his mother, and to behave worthily of his father.

Familiar Letters of John Adams 1875

Not another word did Mr. Dick utter on the subject; but he made a very telegraph of himself for the next half-hour (to the great disturbance of my aunt’s mind), to enjoin inviolable secrecy on me.

Charles Dickens… David Copperfield 1850

In all his expeditions he was careful to study the resources of the country, its social organization, and its physical capacities. He enjoined it on his captains to attend particularly to these objects.

William Prescott… Conquest of Mexico 1843

… Pizarro marched out at the head of his little body of adventurers from the gates of San Miguel, having enjoined it on the colonists to treat their Indian vassals with humanity…

William Prescott… Conquest of Peru 1847

3. To address an injunction to (someone), for him to do something; to compel by an injunction. The second object is an infinitive.

-) Synonyms of the verb enjoin: to request, direct.

We enjoined her to maintain the strictest silence.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

The kind ladies […] proposed, as you have done, that I should live with them, but my mother forbade it; enjoining me, on the peril of incurring her displeasure, not to leave her, and reminding me of all the benefits I have received from her, and of the necessity of making an adequate return.

William Ainsworth… The Lancashire Witches 1848

John was far too hungry to be bashful, so he sat down, as he was enjoined to do, and speedily cleared his plate, which was promptly replenished by Moppett.

William Ainsworth… Ovingdean Grange 1860

Now they were enjoined to disperse in order and depart in peace.

Familiar Letters of John Adams 1875

[…] he wrote a brief letter to Lady Cecilia, imploring her to forget all that had taken place between them, and enjoining her, if she entertained the slightest interest in his earthly and immortal welfare, never to seek to see him again.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

-) Obsolete syntax: to enjoin (a person) to + noun.

 I have enjoined them all to secresy on many grounds.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

4. Rarely documented: to prohibit or forbid (a thing); to prohibit (a person) from (a thing). 

-) English words derived from the verb ENJOIN: enjoined, enjoiner, enjoinder, enjoining, enjoinment, injunction, injunctive, injunctively.