The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word PREDESTINE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
P
R
E
D
E
S
T
I
N
E
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to ordain before the event" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to ordain before the event = predestine.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PREDESTINE mean?
PREDESTINE verb- To determine the future or the fate of something in advance; to preordain.
- To foreordain by divine will.