In heralry, an ordinary is a simple geometrical figure on the arms, bounded by straight lines and running from edge to edge or top to bottom of the shield. There are also some geometric charges known as subordinaries, which are given lesser status by heraldic writers, even though most have been in use just as long as the traditional ordinaries. Diminutives of ordinaries are charges of the same shape, though narrower, though some such charges are not defined as diminutives of the larger charge(s).