cor|don

cor|don «KR duhn», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a line or circle of soldiers, policemen, forts, warships, or others acting to enclose or guard a place: »

A cordon of troops surrounded the burned-out area of the city. Figurative. Foreigners who have been excluded by the strictest cordon ever drawn (W. F. Stevenson).

2. a cord, braid, or ribbon worn as an ornament or as a badge of honor.

3. Architecture. = stringcourse. (Cf. ↑stringcourse)

–v.t.

to enclose or cut off with a cordon: »

The palace was cordoned by tanks and troops (Wall Street Journal). A thousand constables cordoned off the riot area (Harper's).

╂[< Old French cordon ribbon < corde; see etym. under cord (Cf. ↑cord)]