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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ordinance, -aunce, -ans, n. Also: ordyn-, ordien-, orden-, ordon(n)-, (ordoun-), ordain- and -awns, -ence, -ens; ordinanch, ordnance, ordines, -enes, ordnes, ordince. [ME. (1303) and e.m.E. ordynaunce, ordinance, ordenaunce, e.m.E. ordonnans (1477), -ance, ordnance (a 1548), OF. ordenance, ordenn-, ordon- (mod. F. ordonnance), med. L. ordinantia.]

1. Ordered or methodical arrangement or condition, good order. c1420 Wynt. iii. Prol. 29 (W).
Till endite With delitable ordinance The tyme that Brutus wan this yle 1456 Hay I. 6/3.
To ger it retourn to resoun be ordour of lawe of armes quhare othir witnes failis — that is to say bataill of ordinaunce Ib. 288/7.
That he may … put his saule first in gude estate and his gude in ordinance as he wald mak his testament 1513 Doug. ix. iv. 11.
Tyll ordinance forto put every thing 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 172.
That lustie lord, leuand in gret plesour, Did loce that land and honest ordinance

2. Ordered disposition of a military force, order of battle, battle-array; also, a mode of battle-array.Also ordinaunce of bataill.Cf. next sense with which, in some instances, there is ambiguity.To put (troops) in ordinance, to draw up in order of battle, to marshal, array; also, to assign a place in the order of battle. 1375 Barb. xvii. 101 (E).
Bot sone this ordynance brak thai c1420 Wynt. viii. 3529.
Bettyre is ordynans in till fycht Sum tyme than owthir streynth or mycht 1456 Hay I. 58/7.
That unes mycht the Fraunche men … put thame in ordinaunce of bataill Ib. 112/15, 25.
Anent the quhilkis we fynd be ancient custumes of weris thre ordynancis of bataillis. Off quhilkis the first is callit legioun [etc.]. … Natheles all sik maner of namys of ordinancis ar left now on dayes, for all is callit now bataill c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1451.
The king bad all men keip thair ordinance Ib. 1361.
Oft quhan men cumis ischeand of ane place Thay may nocht sone be put in ordinance Ib. 3415.
Furth thai ride thus in till ordinance c1475 Wall. iv. 592. 1513 Doug. viii. i. 1.
As thys convyne and ordinance was maid Of Latyum throw owt the boundis braid Ib. ix. viii. 141.
Brok was in sondir The covertouris and ordinance of thar scheldis 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 94. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 262.
Quhen he come to the King of France He wes sone put in ordinance, Richt so was all his companie Ib. 679.

b. Display of military force; a host in battle order. c1475 Wall. vii. 1107.
Quhill he mycht cum with ordinance off Ingland Ib. vi. 281. c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 170.
For all their aufull ordynance 1513 Doug. xi. ix. 13, x. 76. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 199.
All thair weirly ordinance and proude dominion ar fundin vane and fragill Ib. (M) I. 91. 1533 Boece ii. i. 57.
King Fergus … with stark ordinance he vesyit ws in tyme maist trubulos 1540 Lynd. Sat. 21. c1550 Id. Meldrum 247.
Hary the aucht … at Caleis wes lyand With his triumphant ordinance Makand weir on the realme of France Ib. 609. c1552 Id. Mon. 5396.
The empreour movis his ordinance Contrair the potent King of France Ib. 5419.
With ane richt aufull ordinance Ib. 2938.

3. Advance arrangements, preparations or provision for some purpose. a. For war.Cf. prec. sense with which there is sometimes ambiguity.Freq. to mak (gud) ordinance. c1420 Wynt. viii. 3739.
The Scottis men … Made ordynawns thare land to save 1456 Hay I. 81/4.
For gude curage makis gude ordinaunce in bataill and takis gude counsele and chesis men that can wele fecht and ordanis gude habilliamentis [etc.] Ib. 112/12.
The secund nedefull thing [in warfare] is gude reugle and gude ordynaunce Ib. 81/12, 249/26, 287/27. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 902. c1475 Wall. iv. 438.
Wallace was few; bot happy ordinance Maid him fell syis his aduersouris to wyn Ib. ix. 1885.
Lat I this king makand his ordinans 1531 Bell. Boece I. 69.
He counsalit him … to irk of na chargis pertening to weirly ordinance Id. Livy II. 88/21.
Sic thingis as pertenit to the ordinance of batall

b. Provision for a person's maintenance. c1475 Wall. ii. 73.
Gud ordinance that serd for his estate His cusyng maid at all tyme … Baith bed and meite he made for thaim to pas 1530 Lynd. Test Pap. 875.
In Inglande couth scho [Dame Chastity] get none ordinance Ib. 896.
Amang the nonnis go seik ȝour ordinance

c. Arrangements for the provision of personnel; appointment of officers. 1456 Hay I. 68/35.
Sik reulis of ordynaunce of jugis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 897.
Than sett he for to mak his ordinance Off officieris to keip his obseruance 1535 Stewart 39061.
He maid the law … Of ordinance in houshald with the king, Ilk officiar and … Thair name, thair office and auctoritie

d. For a mining operation. 1515 Treas. Acc.V. 19.
For to pas to Craufurd Mure, and thair to set werkmen and mak ordinance for the gold mynd

e. plur. 1513 Doug. ix. i. 2.
Quhyll … Sik materis and ordinancis wirkand is In diuers placis 15.. Clar. v. 128.
The royall ordinancis, The fair apperrell and lustie fresch array That thair wes maid for the triumphand day

4. a. ? Ordered arrangement of a body of persons or ? (one's) array, outfit, attire. 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 152.
With hym in ordour all the Kingis tryne Quhais ordinance war langsum to defyne

b. (Warlike) array, outfit or accoutrements.Cf. also next sense. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 13/12.
King Latyne … assemblit the auld inhabitantis of his realme namyt aborigines armyt in thare maist werelie ordinance Ib. 32/7. 1549 Compl. 78/19.
He brocht sa mony schipis to Grece vitht al ordonnance quhilkis closit al the reueirs

5. a. Munitions, ammunition, ? chiefly or only for artillery. 1513 Treas. Acc. IV. 519.
Gunnys, close cartis, powder, gunstanis and all the ordinans Ib. 527.
The cartaris that drew the gunnys and thair ordinance a1578 Pitsc. I. 353/33.
[He] brocht hame artaillȝe … and all necessar ordienance for weir

b. Subsequently chiefly, artillery, guns collectively.Also plur. in form. 1547 Cal. Sc. P. I. 19.
Having in ordenaunce but a facon, a faconett & four quarter facons 1558-66 Knox I. 204.
A galay … was so doung with the cannoun and othir ordinance, that she was … almost drowned 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 546.
[He had] in his cumpany … cartit ordinance 1570 Leslie 131. Ib. 231. 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 101.
Mak to, lyke men, sen ye haif ordinance, Ding Draffen doun 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 189.
Hes thou not vsed … the Kingis ordinance and munitiones … to ane vther vse … nor it was appointed 1572 Treas. Acc. MS. 240.
To the dismonting of the said ordinance 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 91. 1577–8 Warrender P. I. 135.
Ordynans a1578 Pitsc. II. 300/18.
The castell schot downe gret ordinance 1596 Dalr. II. 162/2.
Heir … was the Kingis special artilȝie and ordinance 1596 Crim. Trials I. ii. 385. 1600-1610 Melvill 259.
They delaishe thair ordinance at the lownes 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii. 283.
Heaven's ordinance with this the earth do threat, With noyse and terrour 1614 Crim. Trials III. 288.
Brasin ordinance 1615 Highland P. III. 177.
A hoay wherin the ordince wer Ib. 183.
Than the ordince was plyed which haid not shoat above sum sevin or aught shot when [etc.] 1615 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 351. 1617 Ib. II. 71. ? 1623 Melrose P. 515.
Ordinance 1626–7 Misc. Spald. C.V. 145. 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 559.
The whole ordounance, both in the toune and the liggar, played uith thrie thousand muskattis 1649 Acts VI. ii. 482/2.
The particulars are light ordinance vtherwayis callit leather ordinance of all sorts shooting from a quarter of a pound bullet to a demi-cannone c1650 Spalding I. 208.
Ordinansplur. 1583–4 Reg. Privy C. III. 639.
Upoun materiallis neidfull to mont the cannonis and ordinancis

c. (A piece or a specific type of piece) of (small etc.) ordinance or artillery.Also bow of ordinance, ? = cross-bow.(1) 1560 Admir. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 143.
Sevin pecis of ordinance callit dowbill doggis Ib. 175.
Ane heid stik of ordinance 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 147.
Some crosletis and roches of small ordinance 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 218.
With twa peice of small cairtit ordinance Ib. 252.
Ane of thair greit peices of ordinance larit 1595 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 6 a.
For ane pes of ordenes and beir and bred [etc.] 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 70.
For ait stra to stope the pecis of ordinance with c1650 Spalding I. 142. 1657 Acts VI. ii. 675/2.
Peices of ordnance(2) a1578 Pitsc. I. 193/15.
Captaine of ane thousand bowis of ordinance

d. Capitane, maister, etc., of (the, the Kingis etc.) ordinance. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 950.
Plane wrang is plane capitane of ordinance 1592 Acts III. 607/2.
Johnne Cheisholme, comptroller of the ordinance 1641 Ib.V. 519/1.
Collonell Alexander Hammiltoun … generall of his majesties artilliarie and maister of his ordinance and ammunitione 1684 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 82.
The master of the ordinance his pay … is £150/0/0.

e. Attrib. or possess. in ordinance-stok(e (= gunstock). 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 75.
For braking the ordinance stokis with tar for 8 dayis

f. In plur. or indef. article: A piece of ordinance, a gun.(1) 1542 Hamilton P. I. lxxiii.
The pour men shuld bryng ther horsses to drawe the Kingis ordynaunces 1570 Leslie 181.
Careing cartit ordinances befoir thame 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 134.
Gif sche haue ony ordinanceis in the schipe 1615 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 356.
Ordinances(2) c 1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 15 b.
For tornes about ane ordnes byeing

6. A decision reached after discussion on how to proceed or act; a mutually agreed arrangement or proposal. 1375 Barb. i. 79.
This ordynance thaim thocht the best c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 938 (C).
But Aiax Thelamonyus Eftre thar ordynaunce, maid thus, Seyd [etc.] 1398 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 38.
Gif it lik to bath the kyngis this ordinance sal be kepit c1420 Wynt. ix. 1449.
Walter Trayle than cald weshe Be delyveryd ordynans

7. Decision, ruling, settlement, of an arbiter or arbiters, or an instance of this; arbitration, judgement. 1385 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 138*.
Syr Robert Stewart, Eryl of Fyfe and Menteth, and Jon of Logy, squyer, … of thair fre wyl … put in myne ordenans al the debate and the questyoun that wes betwene thaim Ib. 139*.
Syr Robart and John wes oblyste … to halde my determinacyoun and ordenans of the cause c 1400 Wemyss Chart. 37.
To the ordinance of quham … bath the saide partis ar … sworn til stand c1420 Wynt. vii. 3038.
The Kyng assyngnyd than thaim a day At Edynburch and sayd that thai Answere suld hawe … Thareoff the Kyngys ordynawns 1445 Melville Chart. 31.
[To] vnderly the ordinance and the deliuerance of the forsaide personis 1447 Reg. Great S. 68/2. 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I. 128.
That ilk day is concordit … to som thar hal common, and the balyeis and commonys is concordit to vij persounis to thar ordenans for a yer, and this ordenans is concordid for a yer a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1206 (Asl.).
And thus thai suld be equale ordinans … Tyne hevyne 1500 Acta Conc. II. 449.
Ordenance 1522 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 64.
Thir sex men [are to] cum togiddir … to ordand and deliver thair ordinanch to be put to executioun be the balyeis 1530 Ib. 109.
Ordinens 1540 Ib. 217.
Ordines 1585 Edinb. B. Deeds 188.
[They are to] abide at the fynall decreit arbitrall, lawde & ordinance to be gevin … without ony reuocatioun

8. Authoritative and duly promulgated decision; direction or sanction from an authority.To mak ordinance, to direct authoritatively, to decree.(1) c1420 Wynt. v. 2875.
This Constantyne syne ordynans In fredome mad off Crystyne fay Ib. vii. 901.
Alysandyr … Kyng Off that … Stablysyd and mad ordynance … and full delyverance 1564 Crim. Trials I. i. 448.
Becaus the leist of the noumer that can mak ordinance mon be sevine persones(2) 1456 Hay I. 252/6.
Thare suld na womman be juge … but ordinaunce or speciale commissioun of the prince 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 170/32.
The mes is ane sacrifice according to the ordinance and institution of Jesus Christ our salueour in the latter supper 1580 Hay in Cath. Tr. 66/4.
That contrare the ordinance and observation of the ancient Kirk ye institute the same on the Sounday 1616 Macritchie Gypsies 93.
Quhilk was pronuncet for dome, and that conforme to the ordinance of the lordis of secreit counsell 1684 Boharm Kirk S. 13 July.
14 s. given to Alexr. Man, student of philosophie, according to the ordinance of the synod

b. An instance of this: a deliverance of an authority; an authoritative direction, decree or command; a statute or enactment; a rule authoritatively enjoined or decreed.Passing into sense 9. a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii. 130.
We wil That thu thi ordinance fulfil In thi douchtir als wele as we Has done 1398 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 38.
Gif it hapnis that ony prisoner … be with haldyn agaynis this ordenance 1425 Acts II. 12/2. 1437 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 5.
Quha beis … inobedient to the fulfilling of this ordnance 1456 Hay I. 21/13.
A generale counsaile in the quhilk he ordanyt mony divers gude ordinauncis apon the state of haly Kirk 1457 Peebles B. Rec. I. 120.
The commoun ordenans that he sal hald hym within his an 1473 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 27.
Ane bill of certane ordinances rewllis and devyssis maid amanges thame … for the haill craft 1498 Acta Conc. II. 278.
Til here and se ane ordenance calland it ane pretendit decret to be … decernit of nane avale c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlv. 22.
In luve to keip allegance, It war als nys an ordinance As quha wald bid ane deid man dance 1526 Acts II. 317/2. 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 78. 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xx. 1566 Acts To Reader iij.
The Romanis … had thair statutis and ordinancis ingraifit or writtin in tabillis 1566 Treas. Acc. XI. 506. 1567–8 Inverness Rec. I. 160.
In giffin of greit pricis for thair schone by the ordinance 1588 Fam. Innes 154.
Payit … to the saidis lordis [sc. of Council and Session] collectour conforme to thair lait ordinance 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I. viii.
Nother yit ony ordinance or statut sett dounn 1595 Conv. Burghs I. 465.
The commissioneris to intimet this present ordinance to thair saidis brughis 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 6.
To lerne the lawis and ordonnances of ony king Ib. 108.
Al the ordonnances whilks thir haidles ministers hes maid in thair confusit … assemblees 1629 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. II. 134.
For contravening of ane act and ordinence c1650 Spalding I. 348. 1653 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 138.
Ane act intitulatit ane ordinance for vniteing Scotland into ane commonwealth with England 16.. R. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 394.
What number of every estate wes requisit … wes never determined yit be any ordinance

c. Without inflexion, as plur. or coll. c1420 Wynt. vii. 3229.
Swylk ordynans That wes gret grefe … Till off Scotland the three statis 1452 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 20.
As brekaris of commoune ordinance 1456 Hay II. 9/30.
All the reuglis and the ordynaunce of all the poyntis … that pertenis to the said ordre 1474 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 32.
The quhilkis actis ordinance and devys shewing to ws and considerit we appruf 1477 Edinb. Chart. 141. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 532.
Diuers rewlaris maid diuers ordinance 1538 Mill Mediæv. Plays 127.
Aganis the commound ordinance & statutis of this nobill burght 1549 Compl. 9/2.
The seuerite of thir strict ordinance var augmentit be ane edict of Sesostris c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1824.
Nembroth, his name for tyll auance, Amang tham maid new ordinance

d. At, be, eftir, of, throw (another's) ordinance, also ordinancis, at his direction, on his command, by or under his authority or sanction. Agayn (another's) ordinans, contrary to his orders or direction.(1) c1420 Wynt. i. 1430 (W).
Of his ordinance suthly Babelle the toure biggit wes 1444–5 Peebles B. Rec. I. 10.
Gif he defawtis … and will nocht amend his defawt at thair ordinans Ib.
Gif it falyheis of ten markis … he sal, at the balyheis and the burges ordinans, tak quhil he hafe ten markis 1456 Hay I. 270/3.
Quhilk of the twa campiouns … suld stryke the first strake sen thai … be ordynaunce of justice suld feicht Ib. II. 49/34.
That he suld do na thing but be ordynaunce of the knycht Ib. 21/4. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 14/1.
Sene thai … gouernis the pepill throu thi ordinaunce, thou mon ansuere for thame Ib. 37/5.
Eftir His will, ordinance and command 15.. Clar. i. 1144.
So come to him ane great chirugiane Be the Kings ordinance his hurtis to sane Ib. 1173.
And thay ar cuming at his oirdainance 1559 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 320. 1580 Hay in Cath. Tr. 66/1.
Quhy wesie ye nocht the seik efter your maister Caluins ordinance? 1613 Haddington Corr. 120.
That yie haue stayed yiour iornay … be ordonance of heighar powarsplur. 1527 Sc. Hist. Rev. XL. iii.
And sall byd at his ordinancis in all punctis(2) 1450 Peebles B. Rec. I. 16.
And the chapellane servand … sal warne thaim as thai sal ga to, … and gif ony gais to the mes agayn his ordinans he sal hafe na fee

9. A practice or usage authoritatively instituted; an established rule or system. c1420 Wynt. iii. 986.
In all the letterys at thai wrate … all thare inherdans Held that oys and that ordynans 1456 Hay I. 99/24.
The condicioun … of the ordinance of the closing of the barreris Ib. 112/23.
And this set efter ane ordynance that clerkis has in wrytt in the alde lawis be the ancient custumes of weris 1457 Peebles B. Rec. I. 120.
That he sal kyp the samyng ordenans befor wretyng 1493 Acts II. 236/1.
It is … permittit be the constitutionis and ordinancis of lawis ciuile and canon that [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS. 5 b.
Thai knaw … all the ordinans and office of armes 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1828. 1549 Compl. 8/27. c1615 Chron. Kings 32.
Conranus … institutitt the ordinance of inquisicioun, callit in Scottis indytment or dittay

10. A divinely instituted religious observance; a sacramental service; a prescribed form of religious observance or attendance at church. 1646 Gillespie Aaron's Rod Blossoming Table of Contents.
That scandalous … persons were not admitted to a trespasse offering (which was a reconciling ordinance) much lesse to the passeover (which was a sealing ordinance) without a publique penitentiall confession of their sinne Ib.
That all uncleane persons were not suspended from all ordinances a1652 Dickson Psalms (1655) 328.
To such as profess religion and observe the outward ordinances thereof 1653 Dumfries Kirk S. 29 Aug.
Admonished to resort to the publict ordinances & dismissed 1661 Cramond Kirk S. 24 Feb.
Prophaners of the Lords day and vilifiers of the ordinance 1666 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 71. 1671 Moray Synod 151. 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 304.
That so many of you should liue so long under ordinances and yet remain ignorant of the way to obtain salvation 1692 Cramond Kirk S. III. 15 Dec.
The session considering … thair present contempt to this church rules, doe appoint that they have noe benefitt of sealling ordinances … untill [etc.]

11. Ordained or appointed place, assigned post of duty. 1456 Hay I. 141/16.
As gif a capitane … takis his wage … and passis till his ordinaunce quhare he is ordanyt to be

12. Government, rule; command, authority. 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Vs worthis to vndirly the ordonance of ȝhure noble depute … to ȝour gracius hamecummyng c1475 Wall. x. 938.
Syn gaiff playn charge till his wermen off France Thai suld be haill at Wallace ordinance 15.. Clar. ii. 1934.
To put in governance His landis … be gud rewle and ordinance

13. Divine dispensation, will or command. 1375 Barb. xi. 30 (E).
God … disponys … Eftir His ordynance all thing c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.) 122.
And swa thai obey nocht with gud hart to the ordynans … of God 1456 Hay I. 2/30.
Charles the sext … the quhilk is lufit and redoubtit … be the ordynaunce of God Ib. 170/33.
Be the ordynaunce of His secrete counsale of hevin c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 374.
Sen I maid was throw thair ordinance And suld be reulit be thair gouernance 1490 Irland Mir. I. 22/11.
Graunt ws … to complet … Thi ordinaunce in erd heire a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 753. 1513 Doug. xii. ii. 151.
Declarand thame the fatale ordinans, Thar destyne and Goddis purvians 1535 Stewart 37486.
Sic ordinance is ay in Godis will, Nothing in erth vnpuneist to lat pas Ib. 29497.
Ordenance 1549 Compl. 19/2.
As the hie monarchis … ar stablit be the infinite diuyne ordinance 1567 Sat. P. iii. 128. 1581 Burne Disput. 126 b.
Aganis the ordinance of God

14. Establishment, foundation (of the, or a, world). Only in Nisbet, after Wyclif and Purvey. — c1520-c1535 Nisbet Heb. iv. 3.
At the ordinance of the warld Id. Ephes. iii. 11.
Be the before ordinance of warldis