n.
- a leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church, nominated by and having the power to elect the Pope.
- a deep scarlet colour like that of a cardinal's cassock.
- an American songbird of which the male is partly or mostly red and which typically has a crest.
[Cardinalis cardinalis and other species, subfamily Cardinalinae.]
adj.
of the greatest importance; fundamental:
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two cardinal points must be borne in mind.
Derivative
- cardinalate n.
- cardinally adv.
- cardinalship n.
Etymology
OE, from L. cardinalis, from cardo, cardin- ‘hinge’; sense 1 has arisen from the function of such priests as ‘pivots’ of church life.
