ordinance

Etymology

From Middle English ordinaunce (ca. 1300), from Old French ordenance (“decree, command”) (modern French ordonnance), from Medieval Latin ordinantia, from ordinans, the present participle of ordino (“put in order”) (whence ordain). Doublet of ordonnance.

noun

1. (US) A local law, passed by e.g. a city.
2. An edict or decree, authoritative order.
   1. (England) Prior to the Third English Civil War, a decree of Parliament.
   2. (UK, pre-1992 universities, Commonwealth) Detailed legislation that translates the broad principles of the university's charter and statutes into practical effect.
   3. (Hong Kong) A law enacted by the Hong Kong Legislative Council.
   4. (India, Pakistan) A temporary legislation promulgated by the president on the recommendation of the cabinet.
3. A religious practice or ritual prescribed by a church.
   Coordinate term: sacrament
4. (proscribed) Alternative form of ordnance (“military equipment, especially artillery”).
   The battered walls of Fort Sumter were reinforced, and heavier caliber ordinance was mounted in the embrasures, doubling the firepower , […] 2001-11-16, Andrew E. Mathis, The King Arthur Myth in Modern American Literature, McFarland, page 196
   The ordinance officer at Fort Ridgely had packed.62 caliber rather than .58 caliber ammunition. There was no point in any of the men remonstrating over the stupidity of the ordinance officer. 2012 03, John Christgau, Birch Coulie: The Epic Battle of the Dakota War, U of Nebraska Press, page 57
   Large caliber ordinance was already ripping into the floor just in front of them. She grabbed his arm and shouted the best she could, “Do you know how ... to fire a weapon, Skully?” 2012-07-13, Gerard de Marigny, Rise to the Call, JarRyJorNo Publishing