Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In heraldry, a bearing of simple figure, often appearing, but not considered so common or so important as one of the ordinaries. See ordinary, 9.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Her.) One of several heraldic bearings somewhat less common than an ordinary. See ordinary.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun heraldry Any device that is less common than the normal ordinaries

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

sub- +‎ ordinary

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Examples

  • Minor geometric charges (subordinaries) are those which (except for the border) do not reach the edge of the shield; if used with an ordinary, the subordinary is placed on top.

    Concordance A Terran Empire concordance Ann Wilson

  • It possesses the merit of having started the whole question as to the origin of species; it may explain subordinary developments; natural selection may have coöperated as a regulator in the whole progress and the whole preservation of organic life.

    The Theories of Darwin and Their Relation to Philosophy, Religion, and Morality Rudolf Schmid

  • There are central and subordinary fire stations, all connected together by telegraph and telephone.

    Canada and the States 1860

  • The Palindrome is part of anti-intellectual America's celebration of the ordinary, even the subordinary-the theater of accessible fantasies.

    AlterNet.org Main RSS Feed 2009

  • The Palindrome is part of anti-intellectual America's celebration of the ordinary, even the subordinary-the theater of accessible fantasies.

    AlterNet.org Main RSS Feed Brad Reed, Commonweal Institute 2009

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