n. & adj.
n. 1 (in full ordinal number) a number defining a thing's position in a series, e.g. 'first', 'second', 'third', etc. (cf. CARDINAL). 2 Eccl. a service-book, esp. one with the forms of service used at ordinations.
adj. 1 a of or relating to an ordinal number. b defining a thing's position in a series etc. 2 Biol. of or concerning an order (see ORDER n. 8).
[ ME f. LL ordinalis & med.L ordinale neut. f. L (as ORDER) ]