\Cor"don\ (k?r"d?n; F. k?r"{d?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}.
2. The cord worn by a Franciscan friar. --Sir E. Sandys.
3. (Fort.) The coping of the scarp wall, which projects
   beyong the face of the wall a few inches.
4. (Mil.) A line or series of sentinels, or of military
   posts, inclosing or guarding any place or thing.
5. A rich and ornamental lace or string, used to secure a
   mantle in some costumes of state.
{Cordon bleu} (k?r`{d?n}" bl?") [F., blue cordon], a
   first-rate cook, or one worthy to be the cook of the
   cordons bleus, or Knights of the Holy Ghost, famous for
   their good dinners.
{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.