Or·di·na·ry a.
  1. According to established order; methodical; settled; regular. “The ordinary forms of law.”
  2. Common; customary; usual.
     Method is not less requisite in ordinary conversation that in writing.   --Addison.
  3. Of common rank, quality, or ability; not distinguished by superior excellence or beauty; hence, not distinguished in any way; commonplace; inferior; of little merit; as, men of ordinary judgment; an ordinary book.
     An ordinary lad would have acquired little or no useful knowledge in such a way.   --Macaulay.
  Ordinary seaman Naut., one not expert or fully skilled, and hence ranking below an able seaman.
  Syn: -- Normal; common; usual; customary.
  Usage: See Normal. -- Ordinary, Common. A thing is common in which many persons share or partake; as, a common practice.  A thing is ordinary when it is apt to come round in the regular common order or succession of events.
  Sea·man n.; pl. Seamen   One whose occupation is to assist in the management of ships at sea; a mariner; a sailor; -- applied both to officers and common mariners, but especially to the latter. Opposed to landman, or landsman.
  Able seaman, a sailor who is practically conversant with all the duties of common seamanship.
  Ordinary seaman. See Ordinary.
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