1. (n.) Orderly arrangement; preparation; provision.

2. (n.) A rule established by authority; a permanent rule of action; a statute, law, regulation, rescript, or accepted usage; an edict or decree; esp., a local law enacted by a municipal government; as, a municipal ordinance.

3. (n.) An established rite or ceremony.

4. (n.) Rank; order; station.

5. (n.) Ordnance; cannon.

act appointment bill brevet bull bylaw canon ceremonial ceremony code commandment convention declaration decree decree-law decreement decretal decretum dictate dictation dictum diktat duty edict edictum enactment fiat form form of worship formality formula formulary function general principle golden rule guideline guiding principle holy rite imperative institution ipse dixit jus law legislation lex liturgy maxim measure mitzvah mode of worship moral mystery norm observance office order of worship ordonnance practice precept prescribed form prescript prescription principium principle proclamation pronouncement pronunciamento regulation rescript rite ritual ritual observance rituality rubric rule ruling sacrament sacramental senatus consult senatus consultum service settled principle solemnity standard standing order statute tenet ukase working principle working rule