[awr-dn-uh
ns; Fr. awr-daw-nahns] 
[‑dn-uhn-siz; Fr. ‑daw-nahns] . | 1. | the arrangement or disposition of parts, as of a building, picture, or literary work. |
| 2. | an ordinance, decree, or law. |
| or·don·nance (ôr'dn-əns, ôr'dô-näɴs') n. The arrangement of elements in a literary or artistic composition or an architectural plan. [French, variant of Old French ordenance, an arranging; see ordinance.] |