car·di·nal
(kär
dn-
l, kärd
n
l)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
- Of foremost importance; paramount:
a cardinal rule; cardinal sins.
- Dark to deep or vivid red.
NOUN:
-
Abbr.
Card.
Roman Catholic Church
A high church official, ranking just below the pope, who has been appointed by a pope to membership in the College of Cardinals.
- A dark to deep or vivid red.
- A North American finch (Cardinalis cardinalis) having a crested head, a short thick bill, and bright red plumage in the male.
- A short hooded cloak, originally of scarlet cloth, worn by women in the 18th century.
- A cardinal number.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Late Latin
cardin
lis,
principal, pivotal, from Latin,
serving as a hinge, from
card
, cardin-,
hinge
OTHER FORMS:
cardi·nal·ship
(Noun)
