ordinary

Definitions

1. adjective

   Normal, usual, or not exceptional in any way.

   Examples

   • It was just an ordinary day.
   • He led an ordinary life.
   ≈normal≈usual≠extraordinary≠unusual
2. noun

   An ordinary person or thing or something commonplace.

   Examples

   • Spain had no other wars save those of the Low Countries, which were grown into an ordinary
   • water-buckets, waggons, cart-wheels, plough-socks, shuttles, candlesticks, and other ordinaries
3. noun

   The usual course of things; normal condition or health; a standard way of behaviour or action.

   Example

   • I ſee no more in you than in the ordinary / Of nature's ſalework.
4. noun

   A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.

5. noun

   A courier or someone delivering mail or post.

   Example

   • I […] will lay to till you come within hail […] but pray respond by the first ordinary.
6. noun

   A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation.

7. noun

   The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death.

   Example

   • He died with pious composure and resolution. I have just seen the Ordinary that attended him.
8. noun

   Customary fare, one's regular daily allowance of food; (hence) a regular portion or allowance.

9. noun

   A meal provided for a set price at an eating establishment.

   Examples

   • In short, Mr. Jolter could give a very good account of the stages on the road, and […] was a connoisseur in ordinaries, from twelve to five and thirty livres […].
   • Here he recommended me to fix my board, there being an excellent ordinary daily at two o'clock, at which I might dine or not as I pleased.
10. noun

    A place where such meals are served; a public tavern, inn.

    Examples

    • Vpon feſtiuall daies he goes to Court, and ſalutes vvithout re-ſaluting: at night in an Ordinarie he confeſſeth the buſineſſe in hand, and ſeemes as converſant vvith all intents and plots, as if he begot them.
    • He enjoyed a perpetual port duty of fourteen pence a ton, on vessels not owned in the province, yielding not far from five thousand dollars a year; and he exacted a tribute for licenses to hawkers and peddlers and to ordinaries.
11. noun

    One of the standard geometric designs placed across the center of a coat of arms, such as a pale or fess.