from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cordon \Cor"don\ (k[^o]r"d[o^]n; F. k[^o]r`d[^o]N"), n. [F., fr.
corde. See {Cord}.]
1. A cord or ribbon bestowed or borne as a badge of honor; a
broad ribbon, usually worn after the manner of a baldric,
constituting a mark of a very high grade in an honorary
order. Cf. {Grand cordon}.
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2. The cord worn by a Franciscan friar. --Sir E. Sandys.
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3. (Fort.) The coping of the scarp wall, which projects
beyong the face of the wall a few inches.
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4. (Mil.) A line or series of sentinels, or of military
posts, inclosing or guarding any place or thing.
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5. A rich and ornamental lace or string, used to secure a
mantle in some costumes of state.
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{Cordon sanitaire} (k?r`{d?n}" s?`n?`t?r") [F., sanitary
cordon], a line of troops or military posts around a
district infected with disease, to cut off communication,
and thus prevent the disease from spreading. Also used
figuratively, of a group of neutral states that forms a
barrier between two hostile states.
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