ORDINAIRE, Fr. The soldier’s messing together is so called among the French.
ORDINANCE, or ORDNANCE, a name given to all that concerns artillery, or engineering: thus, the commander in chief is called master general of the ordnance; and the next officer, lieutenant general of the ordnance, instead of artillery.
Ordnance. The British value of all brass ordnance is at 84l. 17s. or 371 dollars per ton, for the metal; that is, the weight of the gun, and 12lbs. per hundred weight for waste: to which is added for casting, on the total weight of metal used, 64l. or 286 dollars per ton for light pieces; 54l. or 240 dollars for medium; and 44l. 195¹⁄₂ dollars for heavy.
Iron ordnance cost 20l. or 90 dollars per ton. See also the words [Guns], [Mortars], [Howitzers], &c.
For the proof of all kinds of ordnance, see the word [Proof].
ORDINARY TIME. This in the British service is the slowest time in marching that is permitted to be used by infantry, and consists of a pace which is 30 inches from heel to heel, and of which only 75 are to be taken in a minute. But there is a manifest absurdity in having a different length of pace; in the American service the pace in all time is 24 inches; and the ordinary time is what the British call quick time; and is in fact gay and lively, or the time of country dances.
ORDONNANCE. Fr. A warrant. This word is variously used among the French, viz.
Compagnies d’ORDONNANCE. Independent companies, or such bodies of armed men as do duty by detached companies, and are not formed into regular regiments. Of this description were the gendarmes, the light horse, and the musqueteers, under the French monarchy.
Ordonnances, Fr. Orderly men, whether on foot or horseback.
Ordonnance, Fr. The disposition or arrangement of troops for battle.