Or″di‐na‐ry (?), a. [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 requisite 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.