n. 1. An authoritative command or order. 2. A custom or practice established by long usage. 3. A Christian rite, especially the Eucharist. 4. A statute or regulation, especially one enacted by a municipal government. [Middle English ordinaunce, from Old French ordenance, from Medieval Latin ōrdinantia, from Latin ōrdināns, ōrdinant-, present participle of ōrdināre, to ordain, from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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