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cardinal

car·di·nal
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kahr-dn-l]
    • /ˈkɑr dn l/
    • /ˈkɑː.dɪ.nəl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kahr-dn-l]
    • /ˈkɑr dn l/

Definitions of cardinal word

  • countable noun cardinal A cardinal is a high-ranking priest in the Catholic church. 3
  • adjective cardinal A cardinal rule or quality is the one that is considered to be the most important. 3
  • countable noun cardinal A cardinal is a common North American bird. The male has bright red feathers. 3
  • noun cardinal any of the members of the Sacred College, ranking next after the pope, who elect the pope and act as his chief counsellors 3
  • noun cardinal a deep vivid red colour 3
  • noun cardinal a crested North American bunting, Richmondena (or Pyrrhuloxia) cardinalis, the male of which has a bright red plumage and the female a brown one 3

Information block about the term

Origin of cardinal

First appearance:

before 1150
One of the 7% oldest English words
before 1150; Middle English, Old English < Latin cardinālis, equivalent to cardin- (stem of cardō) hinge, hence, something on which other things hinge + -ālis -al1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cardinal

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

cardinal popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

cardinal usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cardinal

adj cardinal

  • overriding — taking precedence over all other considerations.
  • prime — of the first importance; demanding the fullest consideration: a prime requisite.
  • central — Something that is central is in the middle of a place or area.
  • leading — made of or containing lead: a lead pipe; a lead compound.
  • primary — first or highest in rank or importance; chief; principal: his primary goals in life.

adjective cardinal

  • key — a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt.
  • serious — of, showing, or characterized by deep thought.
  • core — The core of a fruit is the central part of it. It contains seeds or pips.

noun cardinal

  • tippet — a scarf, usually of fur or wool, for covering the neck, or the neck and shoulders, and usually having ends hanging down in front. Compare stole2 (def 2).
  • infrared — the part of the invisible spectrum that is contiguous to the red end of the visible spectrum and that comprises electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from 800 nm to 1 mm.
  • garnetHenry Highland, 1815–82, U.S. clergyman and abolitionist.
  • redJohn, c1460–1529, English poet.
  • sermonise — to deliver or compose a sermon; preach.

Antonyms for cardinal

adj cardinal

  • minor — lesser, as in size, extent, or importance, or being or noting the lesser of two: a minor share.
  • peripheral — pertaining to, situated in, or constituting the periphery: peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.
  • last — occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: late frosts; a late spring.
  • subordinate — placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.
  • unimportant — of much or great significance or consequence: an important event in world history.

Top questions with cardinal

  • what does it mean when you see a cardinal?
  • what is a cardinal number?
  • what does it mean if you see a cardinal?
  • what does a cardinal sound like?
  • what is the score of the cardinal game?
  • how to draw a cardinal?
  • what is cardinal direction?
  • what does it mean when you see a cardinal bird?
  • what does a red cardinal symbolize?
  • what color are cardinal eggs?
  • who was cardinal richelieu?
  • what does a cardinal represent?
  • how did cardinal richelieu strengthen the french monarchy?
  • how do you spell cardinal?
  • what do maps use to indicate the cardinal directions?

See also

Matching words

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