ordonnance

[ awr-dn-uh ns; French awr-daw-nahns ]

/ ˈɔr dn əns; French ɔr dɔˈnɑ̃s /

noun, plural or·don·nanc·es [awr-dn-uh n-siz; French awr-daw-nahns] /ˈɔr dn ən sɪz; French ɔr dɔˈnɑ̃s/.

the arrangement or disposition of parts, as of a building, picture, or literary work.

an ordinance, decree, or law.

Nearby words

Origin of ordonnance

1635–45; < French, alteration of Old French ordenance ordinance, by influence of donner to give

Related formsor·don·nant, adjective

Can be confusedordinance ordnance ordonnance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ordonnance

Ordonnance (French) pour l'exercice et les manœuvres de l'infanterie, par le commission de manœuvres.
Elements of Military Art and Science|Henry Wager Halleck
French law was codified in the 17th century by the “Ordonnance de 1673.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7|Various
The existing “Code de Commerce” amplifies but substantially adopts the provisions of the “Ordonnance.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7|Various
These companies of ordonnance have ever been regarded as the foundation of the French standing army.
The History of Chivalry, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Mills

Three Taitsi rode off to present the ordonnance to the Kitats.
Travels in Tartary, Thibet, and China|Evariste Regis Huc

British Dictionary definitions for ordonnance

ordonnance

/ (ˈɔːdənəns, French ɔrdɔnɑ̃s) /

noun

the proper disposition of the elements of a building or an artistic or literary composition

an ordinance, law, or decree, esp in French law

Word Origin for ordonnance

C17: from Old French ordenance arrangement, influenced by ordonner to order

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012