A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Tempo Ordinario
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TEMPO ORDINARIO (Ital.), common time, rhythm of four crotchets in a bar. The time-signature is an unbarred semicircle 
, or in modern form 
, in contradistinction to the barred semicircle 
or 
, which denotes a diminished value of the notes, i.e. a double rate of movement. [See Breve; Common Time.] In consequence of the notes in tempo ordinario being of full value (absolutely as well as relatively), the term is understood to indicate a moderate degree of speed. It is in this sense that Handel employs it as an indication for the choruses 'Lift up your heads,' 'Their sound is gone out,' etc.
, or in modern form 
, in contradistinction to the barred semicircle 
or 
, which denotes a diminished value of the notes, i.e. a double rate of movement. [See Breve; Common Time.] In consequence of the notes in tempo ordinario being of full value (absolutely as well as relatively), the term is understood to indicate a moderate degree of speed. It is in this sense that Handel employs it as an indication for the choruses 'Lift up your heads,' 'Their sound is gone out,' etc.
[ F. T. ]