CARDINAL


Meaning of CARDINAL in English

/ ˈkɑːdɪnl; NAmE ˈkɑːrd-/ noun , adjective

■ noun

1.

a priest of the highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals elect and advise the Pope :

Cardinal Hume

2.

(also ˌcardinal ˈnumber ) a number, such as 1, 2 and 3, used to show quantity rather than order

—compare ordinal

3.

a N American bird. The male cardinal is bright red.

■ adjective

[ only before noun ] ( formal ) most important; having other things based on it :

Respect for life is a cardinal principle of English law.

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WORD ORIGIN

Old English , from Latin cardinalis , from cardo , cardin- hinge. Sense 1 has arisen through the notion of the important function of such priests as “pivots” of church life.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.