in ordinary

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word in ordinary. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word in ordinary, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say in ordinary in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word in ordinary you have here. The definition of the word in ordinary will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofin ordinary, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Prepositional phrase

in ordinary

  1. In an official capacity (chiefly as a post-modifier in official titles).
    An ambassador in ordinary is one constantly resident at a foreign court.
    • 1997, Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, Folio Society, published 2016, page 263:
      The king experienced his first attack in autumn 1788, and as his condition worsened and the physicians-in-ordinary proved unable to cope or cure, the Reverend Dr Francis Willis (1717–1807), a clergyman doctor who ran a madhouse in Lincolnshire, was called in.
  2. (nautical) Out of commission and laid up; said of a naval vessel.