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Webster 1913 Edition


Extraordinary

Ex-traor′di-na-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
extraordinarius
;
extra
on the outside +
ordinarius
: cf. F.
extraordinaire
. See
Ordinary
.]
1.
Beyond or out of the common order or method; not usual, customary, regular, or ordinary;
as,
extraordinary
evils;
extraordinary
remedies.
Which dispose
To something
extraordinary
my thoughts.
Milton.
2.
Exceeding the common degree, measure. or condition; hence, remarkable; uncommon; rare; wonderful;
as,
extraordinary
talents or grandeur
.
3.
Employed or sent upon an unusual or special service;
as, an ambassador
extraordinary
.

Ex-traor′di-na-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Extraordinaries
.
That which is extraordinary; – used especially in the plural;
as,
extraordinaries
excepted, there is nothing to prevent success
.
Their
extraordinary
did consist especially in the matter of prayers and devotions.
Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1828 Edition


Extraordinary

EXTRAOR'DINARY

,
Adj.
extror'dinary. [L. extraordinarius; extra and ordinarius, usual, from ordo, order.]
1.
Beyond or out of the common order or method; not in the usual, customary or regular course; not ordinary. Extraordinary evils require extraordinary remedies.
2.
Exceeding the common degree or measure; hence, remarkable; uncommon; rare; wonderful; as the extraordinary talents of Shakespeare; the extraordinary powers of Newton; an edifice of extraordinary grandeur.
3.
Special; particular; sent for a special purpose, or on a particular occasion; as an extraordinary courier or messenger; an embassador extraordinary; a gazette extraordinary.

Definition 2024


extraordinary

extraordinary

English

Adjective

extraordinary (comparative more extraordinary, superlative most extraordinary)

  1. Not ordinary; exceptional; unusual;
    • 1921, G. B. Shaw, Back to Methuselah:
      Everybody knew I was an extraordinary person. When I was born my beard was three feet long.
    • 1978, Spanish Constitution of 1978:
      The Houses may meet in extraordinary sessions at the request of the Government, of the Permanent Deputation or of the overall majority of members of either of the two Houses. Extraordinary sessions must be convened with a specific agenda and shall be adjourned once this has been dealt with.
    • 2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, 2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport:
      Tony Woodcock's early try and a penalty from fourth-choice fly-half Stephen Donald were enough to see the All Blacks home in an extraordinary match that defied all pre-match predictions.
    • 2013 June 8, The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. []   But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip.
  2. Remarkably good.
    an extraordinary poet

Usage notes

  • Can be said of all kinds of objects including people, events, things, and terms.
  • The pronunciation "extrordinary" is often preferred so as to avoid confusion with "extra ordinary", which would be defined as "more ordinary than usual".

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

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