in general, signifies common, usual; thus, an ambassador or envoy in ordinary, is one sent to reside steadily, 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 interests of his own nation.—This term is also applied to several officers in the king's household, who attend on common occasions. Thus we say, physician in ordinary, &c.

Ordinary, or Honourable Ordinary, in heraldry, a denomination given to certain charges properly belonging to that art. See Heraldry, p. 3588.