ordonnance

[ awr-dn-uhns; French awr-daw-nahns ]

noun,plural or·don·nanc·es [awr-dn-uhn-siz; French awr-daw-nahns]. /ˈɔr dn ən sɪz; French ɔr dɔˈnɑ̃s/.
  1. the arrangement or disposition of parts, as of a building, picture, or literary work.

  2. an ordinance, decree, or law.

Origin of ordonnance

1
1635–45; <French, alteration of Old French ordenanceordinance, by influence of donner to give

Other words from ordonnance

  • or·don·nant, adjective

Words that may be confused with ordonnance

Words Nearby ordonnance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ordonnance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ordonnance

ordonnance

/ (ˈɔːdənəns, French 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

Origin of ordonnance

1
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