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car·di·nal
cardinal
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- pronunciation:
- kar
d
nl
- parts of speech:
- noun, adjective
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, adjective), Word Explorer
part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
in the Roman Catholic Church, an official appointed by the pope and second in rank to him.
- similar words:
- archbishop, bishop, prelate, priest
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definition 2: |
a North American crested grosbeak, of which the male has bright red plumage and a black face and throat.
- similar words:
- bird, finch, grosbeak, songbird
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definition 3: |
a cardinal number.
- synonyms:
- prime
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related words: |
number |
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part of speech: |
adjective |
definition: |
first and foremost in importance.
Pride and envy are considered cardinal sins in Christianity.She gave an hour-long speech, thus breaking a cardinal rule of public speaking.In our family, not recycling paper is a cardinal sin.- synonyms:
- first, foremost, main, primary, prime, principal
- antonyms:
- secondary, unimportant
- similar words:
- basic, capital, central, chief, essential, fundamental, key, lead, leading, master
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related words: |
prime, sovereign, supreme, vital |
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derivations: |
cardinally (adv.), cardinalship (n.) |
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