I. -erē, -eri sometimes -dˌner- adjective
Etymology: Middle English extraordinarie, from Latin extraordinarius, from extra, adverb & preposition, outside, beyond (as in extra ordinem out of course, in an extraordinary manner) + ordinarius ordinary — more at extra- , ordinary
1.
a. : more than ordinary : not of the ordinary order or pattern
ordinary and extraordinary expenses
: going beyond what is usual, regular, common, or customary : not following the general pattern or norm
held the office for an extraordinary period of time
giving extraordinary powers to the president
b.
(1) : exceptional to a very marked extent : most unusual : far from common
enjoying extraordinary popularity
an extraordinary capacity for work
: very outstanding
an extraordinary leader
: very remarkable
extraordinary technical progress
: rarely equaled : singular , phenomenal
a woman of extraordinary beauty
: strikingly impressive : arresting
an extraordinary family resemblance
(2) : having little or no precedent and usually totally unexpected
an extraordinary combination of circumstances
(3) : very curious, strange, or surprising : amazing
how extraordinary that she should not understand
2.
a. : of, relating to, or having the degree of care, caution, or diligence typical of that exercised by an extremely prudent person
revealing an extraordinary foresight
b. : of, relating to, or having the nature of a proceeding or action not normally required by law or not prescribed for the regular administration of the law
an extraordinary session of a legislature
an extraordinary court
extraordinary jurisdiction
c. : of, relating to, or having the nature of an occurrence (as an accident or casualty) or risk of a kind other than what ordinary experience or prudence would foresee
3.
a. : serving in addition to the regular officials or employees : having a special and usually occasional rather than regular function : entrusted with a special responsibility : employed for or sent upon an unusual service
an ambassador extraordinary
b. obsolete : extra
II. noun
archaic : something extraordinary
III. adverb
archaic : extraordinarily
the quite extraordinary large quantity of furniture — Osbert Lancaster