Vocabulary Spotlight
Cardinal
Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
Definition: As an adjective, it refers to something of primary importance; as a noun, it can denote a high-ranking church official or a type of bird.
“Trust is a cardinal virtue in any relationship.”
Pronunciation
[kahr-dn-l]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Fundamental
Primary
Essential
Chief
Antonyms
Secondary
Inessential
Insignificant
Subordinate
Related Words
Virtue
Integral
Word Origin
“Cardinal” comes from the Latin word “cardinalis,” meaning “serving as a hinge.” It refers to something of primary importance or foundational in nature.
Word Family
Adjective: Cardinal – Of primary importance.
Noun: Cardinal – A high-ranking church official or a type of bird.
Related Noun: Cardinality – The numerical importance or quantity of elements in a set (used in mathematics).
Mnemonics
Think “Cardinal” like “Key” – something that is a key or fundamental element.
Industry-specific Usage
Religion
In the Catholic Church, a cardinal is a senior church leader who is often involved in electing the Pope.
Mathematics
In mathematics, “cardinal” denotes the size or quantity of elements in a set, known as cardinality.
Ecology
The cardinal is a well-known North American bird species, recognized for its bright red color.
In Context
The word “cardinal” has both literal and symbolic meanings. In religion, it refers to senior clergy, while in daily language, it often describes something of primary importance or a fundamental principle.