'Cordon sanitaire' definitions:

Definition of 'Cordon sanitaire'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The cord worn by a Franciscan friar. --Sir E. Sandys. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Fort.) The coping of the scarp wall, which projects beyong the face of the wall a few inches. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Mil.) A line or series of sentinels, or of military posts, inclosing or guarding any place or thing. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A rich and ornamental lace or string, used to secure a mantle in some costumes of state. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]