orderly

• ordrely (obsolete)

From order +‎ -ly.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɔɹdɚli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɔːdəli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: or‧der‧ly

orderly (comparative more orderly, superlative most orderly)

1. Neat and tidy; possessing order.

   He has always kept an orderly kitchen, with nothing out of place.

2. Methodical or systematic.

   We live in an orderly universe, where rules govern both the movements of planets and the binding of molecules.

3. Peaceful; well-behaved.

   An orderly gathering of citizens stood on the corner awaiting the bus.

4. Being on duty; keeping order; conveying orders.
   • Sir Walter Scott

     aids-de-camp and orderly men

• (possessing order): regular, trim, well-kept; see also Thesaurus:orderly
• (methodical or systematic): See also Thesaurus:methodical

• orderliness

orderly (plural orderlies)

1. A hospital attendant given a variety of non-medical duties.
2. A soldier who carries out minor tasks for a superior officer.

orderly (comparative more orderly, superlative most orderly)

1. (now rare) According to good order or practice; appropriately, in a well-behaved way. [from 15th c.]
   • Shakespeare

     You are blunt; go to it orderly.

2. (obsolete) In order; in a particular order or succession; with a suitable arrangement. [15th-19th c.]
   • 1567, Arthur Golding, translating Ovid, Metamorphoses, I:

     The earth from heaven, the sea from earth, he parted orderly, / And from the thicke and foggie ayre, he tooke the lightsome skie.

   • 1603, John Florio, transl.; Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:

     Thus orderly marshaled, they take their course and swim whither their journey tends, as broad and wide behind as before […].

   • 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p.149:

     And in the Tombe which is an arch made of mats, they lay them orderly.

• (in order): methodically, systematically; see also Thesaurus:methodically

• ordrely