ordonnance

prescription, order

noun or-doh-NAHNS Rare

Also means

ordinance, decree

Usage Note

Ordonnance most commonly refers to a doctor's prescription — avoir une ordonnance ('to have a prescription') — but in law and politics it means a decree or ordinance issued by the government. Historically it also referred to an orderly (military aide). The gender is feminine despite the -ance ending being a reliable indicator of feminine nouns.

Examples

"Le médecin lui a donné une ordonnance."

Natural Translation

The doctor gave him a prescription.

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