a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.
Military. an enlisted soldier assigned to perform various chores for a commanding officer or group of officers.
8.
a hospital attendant having general, nonmedical duties.
Origin: 1470–80 as adv.; 1570–80 as adj.; 1795–1805 as noun; order + -ly
Related forms
or·der·li·ness, noun
un·or·der·ly, adjective
Synonyms 1,2. Orderly methodical systematic characterize that which is neat, in order, and planned. These three words are sometimes used interchangeably. However, orderly emphasizes neatness of arrangement: an orderly array of books.Methodical suggests a logical plan, a definite order of actions or method from beginning to end: a methodical examination.Systematic suggests thoroughness, an extensive and detailed plan, together with regularity of action: a systematic review.
1477, "in due order," from order (q.v.). As a noun meaning "military attendant who carries orders" it is first attested 1781 (short for orderly corporal, etc.). Extended 1809 to an attendant at a hospital (originally a military hospital) charged with keeping things in order and clean.