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Difference between In ordinary and In the ordinary way

in ordinary

1. added to the titles of people regularly serving royalty:

  • The King’s painter to Charles IX was Henry Mellein, and his painter-in-ordinary was Conrad de Vulcop.

2. (of a ship) laid up for repairs; not fit for service:

  • When ships are said to be in ordinary … they are in one of three stages of readiness for commission and active service.

in the ordinary way

1. as is usual:

  • Had it been decided to wash the coal in the ordinary way instead of dry cleaning it, additional ovens would have been necessary.

2. if the circumstances were normal or usual:

  • In the ordinary way he would have come with us, but he is not feeling well.