characteristic vs ordinary

characteristic

noun
  • A distinguishing feature of a person or thing. 

  • For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0. 

  • The integer part of a logarithm. 

  • The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.). 

adj
  • Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing. 

ordinary

noun
  • An ordinary person or thing; something commonplace. 

  • One of the standard geometric designs placed across the center of a coat of arms, such as a pale or fess. 

  • A part of the Christian liturgy that is reasonably constant without regard to the date on which the service is performed. 

  • A rule, or book of rules, prescribing the order of service, especially of Mass. 

  • A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese. 

  • The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death. 

  • A meal provided for a set price at an eating establishment. 

  • A penny farthing bicycle. 

  • A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation. 

  • The usual course of things; normal condition or health; a standard way of behaviour or action. 

adj
  • Having no special characteristics or function; everyday, common, mundane; often deprecatory. 

  • Being part of the natural order of things; normal, customary, routine. 

  • Having regular jurisdiction; now only used in certain phrases. 

  • Bad or undesirable. 

How often have the words characteristic and ordinary occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )