n. & v.
--n.
1. a line or circle of police, soldiers, guards, etc., esp. preventing access to or from an area.
2 a an ornamental cord or braid. b the ribbon of a knightly order.
3 a fruit-tree trained to grow as a single stem.
4 Archit. a string-course.
--v.tr. (often foll. by off) enclose or separate with a cordon of police etc.
Etymology: It. cordone augmentative of corda CORD, & F cordon (as CORD)