ORDINARY, in general, signifies common, usual; thus, an ambassador, or envoy in ordinary, is one sent to reside stately, and for a number of years, in the court of some foreign prince or state, in order to keep up a good understanding, and watch over the interest of his own nation.—This term is also applied to several officers in the king's household, who attended on common occasions. Thus we say, physician in ordinary, &c.