/awr"dn euhns/ , n.
1. an authoritative rule or law; a decree or command.
2. a public injunction or regulation: a city ordinance against excessive horn blowing.
3. something believed to have been ordained, as by a deity or destiny.
4. Eccles.
a. an established rite or ceremony.
b. a sacrament.
c. the communion.
[ 1275-1325; ME ordinaunce ( ordenance ) ordinantia, deriv. of L ordinant- (s. of ordinans ), prp. of ordinare to arrange. See ORDINATION, -ANCE ]
Syn. 1, 2. order.