ordonnance

American  

[awr-dn-uhns, awr-daw-nahns] / ˈɔr dn əns, ɔr dɔˈnɑ̃s /

noun

plural

ordonnances

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

2. an ordinance, decree, or law.

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ordonnance British  

/ ˈɔːdənəns, ɔrdɔnɑ̃s /

noun

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• ordonnant adjective

Etymology

Origin of ordonnance

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

Example Sentences

Dugdale, weary of his illness, which now attracted little notice, attended a regular physician, and was cured of that part of his disease which was not affected in a regular way par ordonnance du médecin.

From Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft by Scott, Walter, Sir

There then appeared a royal ordonnance, proclaiming Napoleon Buonaparte an outlaw, and convoking on the instant the two chambers.

From The History of Napoleon Buonaparte by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)

As if to recompense all classes for the severity of the exaction, Philip published an ordonnance of reform for the protection of both laymen and ecclesiastics from the arbitrary encroachments or interference of his officers.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 07 by Johnson, Rossiter

The Ecce Homo of Vienna is another of the works of which both the general ordonnance and the truly Venetian splendour must have profoundly influenced Paolo Veronese.

From The Later Works of Titian by Phillips, Claude

An ordonnance, issued in the year 1511, specified, that as beasts of burthen were so much multiplied, the Indians should not be made to carry or drag heavy loads.

From History of the Buccaneers of America by Burney, James