Law Dictionary of Legal Terminology

ORDINARY

ORDINARY, civil and eccles. law. An officer who has original jurisdiction in his own right and not by deputation.

2. In England the ordinary is an officer who has immediate jurisdiction in ecclesiastical causes. Co. Litt. 344.

3. In the United States, the ordinary possesses, in those states where such officer exists, powers vested in him by the constitution and acts of the legislature, In South Carolina, the ordinary is a judicial officer. 1 Rep. Const. Ct. 26; 2 Rep. Const. Ct. 384.