Defn: According to established rules or settled method; as a rule; commonly; usually; in most cases; as, a winter more than ordinarily severe. Those who ordinarily pride themselves not a little upon their penetration. I. Taylor.
ORDINARY
Or"di*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. ordinarius, fr. ordo, ordinis, order: cf.
F. ordinaire. See Order.]
1. According to established order; methodical; settled; regular. "The ordinary forms of law." Addison.
2. Common; customary; usual. Shak. Method is not less reguisite in ordinary conversation that in writing. Addison.
3. Of common rank, quality, or ability; not distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book. An ordinary lad would have acquired little or no useful knowledge in such a way. Macaulay. Ordinary seaman (Naut.), one not expert or fully skilled, and hence ranking below an able seaman.
Syn. — Normal; common; usual; customary. See Normal. — Ordinary, Common. A thing is common in which many persons share or partake; as, a common practice. A thing is ordinary when it is apt to come round in the regular common order or succession of events.
ORDINARY
Or"di*na*ry, n.; pl. Ordinaries (.
1. (Law) (a) (Roman Law) An officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right, and not by deputation. (b) (Eng. Law)
Defn: One who has immediate jurisdiction in matters ecclesiastical; an ecclesiastical judge; also, a deputy of the bishop, or a clergyman appointed to perform divine service for condemned criminals and assist in preparing them for death. (c) (Am. Law) A judicial officer, having generally the powers of a judge of probate or a surrogate.
2. The mass; the common run. [Obs.] I see no more in you than in the ordinary Of nature's salework. Shak.