ordinary
- noun
- /ˈɔrdəˌnɛri/
- Archaic
:
capellán de prisión
- Many accounts of the gallows were written by the ordinary of Newgate Prison.
Examples
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The ordinary visited the condemned cell each evening to offer comfort to the prisoner.
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The ordinary spoke to the condemned man.
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Historically, the ordinary would record confessions of those about to be executed.
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An ordinary was present at the execution.
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The Ordinary was present to offer comfort to the condemned prisoners before their execution.
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In the past, the Ordinary played a crucial role in administering spiritual support to those facing death.
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Many locals admired the dedication of the Ordinary, who visited the jail every week to counsel the inmates.
Synonyms
15
4.7
A man who leads services and gives spiritual help in a church
1
6.5
A religious leader who works in a prison and gives religious help to prisoners
Idioms
Compounds
- Formal
1
3.8
The level of attention and caution a reasonable person shows in similar situations to avoid harm
- Archaic
A two-wheeled vehicle with a very large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel
- Specialized
A plan that gives a fixed amount and has level yearly payments for life
A form of stock giving part of profits and voting rights but no priority for dividends or assets
- Specialized
A series of equal payments made at the end of each period for a set time
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ordinary for the clergyman comes from Latin ordinarius meaning 'one with a regular duty'. So the ordinary was the priest whose fixed job was to visit and help those about to be executed.