/ ˈɔːdɪnəns; NAmE ˈɔːrd-/ noun
[ C , U ] ( formal ) an order or a rule made by a government or sb in a position of authority
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (also in the sense arrangement in ranks ): from Old French ordenance , from medieval Latin ordinantia , from Latin ordinare put in order, from ordo , ordin- row, series, rank.