ordinary

The story

1. Latin · derived fromōrdinārius“regular, orderly”
2. Medieval Latin · derived fromordinarius
3. Middle French · derived fromordinaire
4. Anglo-Norman · derived fromordenarie
5. English todayordinary

From Anglo-Norman ordenarie, ordenaire et al., Middle French ordinaire, and their source, Medieval Latin ordinarius, noun use of Latin ōrdinārius (“regular, orderly”), from ōrdō (“order”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.
• 16th–19th c. A courier; someone delivering mail or post.
• from 17th c. A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation.
• from 17th c. The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death.
• 15th–19th c. Customary fare, one's regular daily allowance of food; (hence) a regular portion or allowance.
• from 16th c. A meal provided for a set price at an eating establishment.
• from 16th c. A place where such meals are served; a public tavern, inn.
• from 16th c. One of the standard geometric designs placed across the center of a coat of arms, such as a pale or fess.