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

In Paris an ordonnance of 1288 inhibits the citizens from carrying pointed knives, swords, bucklers, or other similar weapons.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume I by Lea, Henry Charles

As to the plan and ordonnance of the Poem.

From Literary Remains, Volume 1 by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

The ordonnance of 1667, by which Lewis the fourteenth established an uniformity of procedure through all his courts, has been considered as one of the greatest benefits of his reign.

From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 06 Reviews, Political Tracts, and Lives of Eminent Persons by Johnson, Samuel

The Catholic king was very minute in his inquiries, according to Auton, "du faict et de l'estat des gardes du Roy, et de ses Gentilshommes, qu'il réputoit à grande chose, et triomphale ordonnance."

From The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic — Volume 3 by Prescott, William Hickling

The tester and ceiler also shining cloth of gold; the curtains of white sarcenet; as for his head-suit and pillows, they were of the Queen's own ordonnance.

From Christmas: Its Origin and Associations Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries by Dawson, William Francis