I.a setting in order, regulating, arranging; an order, arrangement, regulation (mostly postAug.).
I. Lit.: architectura constat ex ordinatione, quae Graece τάξις dicitur, et ex dispositione. Ordinatio est modica membrorum operis commoditas separatim, universaeque proportionis ad symmetriam comparatio, Vitr. 1, 2.—Of vines, Col. 4, 29, 12.—
II. Trop.
A. In gen., an ordering, regulating, orderly arrangement: “comitiorum,” Vell. 2, 124, 3: “anni,” Suet. Aug. 31: “vitae,” Plin. Ep. 9, 28, 4: mundus est ornata ordinatio dei munere, App. de Mundo, 1, p. 251.—
B. In partic.
1. An orderly regulation of state affairs, rule, government: “quid ordinatione civilius? ... quam turpe, si ordinatio eversione, libertas servitute mutetur?” Plin. Ep. 8, 24, 8.—
2. An appointing to office, installation of magistrates, governors: “cur sibi visum esset ordinatione proximā Aegypto praeficere Metium Rufum,” Suet. Dom. 4.—
3. A regulation, ordinance, decree, edict of an emperor: “cum rerum omnium ordinatio ... observanda sit, tum, etc.,” Plin. Ep. 10, 58 (66), 10. —
4. (Eccl. Lat.) Ordination: “episcopalis,” Sid. Ep. 7, 6 fin.: “cleri,” August. Bon. Conj. 24; Cassiod. Hist. Eccl. 9, 36.—
5. Transf.: “dispositis ordinationibus,” in ranks, rows, App. M. 10, p. 253.
