Ordinary
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence · Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
n. The title of a juthe United States, vested with powers in regard to wills, probate, administration, guardianship, according to the statute in force. An ordinary, in the civil law, is a judge who has authority to take cognizance of causes in his own right, and not by deputation; in the common law, one who has exempt and immediate jurisdiction in causes ecclesiastical. Also, a bishop; and an archbishop is the ordinary of the whole province, to visit and receive appeals from inferior jurisdictions. Also, a commissary or official of a bishop, or other ecclesiastical judge having judicial power; an archdeacon; officer of the royal household.
Wharlon.
Ordinary of assise and sessions. A deputy of the bishop of the diocese, anciently appointed to give malefactors their neck verses, and judge whether they read or not; also, to perform divine services for them, and assist in preparing them for death.
Wharton.
Ordinary of Ne'wgate. An attendant upon condemned malefactors in that prison to prepare them for death; he records the behavior of such persons. Whar Um.