ordinance
UK[ˈɔːdɪnəns]US[ˈɔːrdɪnəns]
n
An authoritative order or decree, especially one made by a government or ruler.
n
A religious rite or ceremony established by a religious authority.
n
(US) A municipal law or regulation, especially one enacted by a city government.
Morpheme Breakdown
ordin
ance
ordin
order
ance
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'ordinance' traces its lineage directly to Latin ōrdinantia, meaning "an arrangement or regulation," which itself derives from ōrdināre, "to arrange or set in order," a verb formed from ōrdō (order, rank). The core concept of ōrdō in Latin, signifying a structured sequence or arrangement, is preserved in the English term's meaning of an authoritative command that establishes order. This semantic thread connects the ancient Roman sense of military and civic organization to the modern legal and religious decrees that structure society. The suffix -ance solidifies the abstract noun form, denoting the state or product of ordering.
Analysis
Structure: ordin (order) + ance (noun suffix)
ordin (from Latin ōrdin-, stem of ōrdō, meaning "order, row, series, arrangement"); ance (a noun-forming suffix from Latin -antia, indicating a state, quality, or action).
Examples
The city council passed a new ordinance restricting noise after 10 PM.
The king's ordinance was met with both obedience and quiet resentment.
Baptism is considered a sacred ordinance in many Christian traditions.