Of foremost importance; paramount: a cardinal rule; cardinal sins.
Dark to deep or vivid red.
n.
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.
[Middle English, from Late Latin cardinālis, principal, pivotal, from Latin, serving as a hinge, from cardō, cardin-, hinge.] car'di·nal·ship' n.
(kär'dn-əl, kärd'nəl) 