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ordinal

noun or·di·nal \ ˈȯrd-nəl , ˈȯr-də-nəl \
|Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of ordinal

1 capitalized
[Middle English, from Medieval Latin ordinale, from Late Latin, neuter of ordinalis]
: a book of rites for the ordination of deacons, priests, and bishops
2
[Late Latin ordinalis, from ordinalis, adjective]
: ordinal number

See ordinal defined for kids

First Known Use of ordinal

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

2

ordinal

adjective

Definition of ordinal

1 : of a specified order or rank in a series
2 : of or relating to a taxonomic order

Recent Examples of ordinal from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ordinal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ordinal

Late Latin ordinalis, from Latin ordin-, ordo

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

ORDINAL Defined for Kids

ordinal

noun or·di·nal \ ˈȯr-də-nəl \

Definition of ordinal for Students

: ordinal number

Learn More about ordinal

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of ordinal

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