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Definition of cardinal adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cardinal

adjective
 
/ˈkɑːdɪnl/
 
/ˈkɑːrdɪnl/
[only before noun] (formal)
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  1. most important; having other things based on it
    • Respect for life is a cardinal principle of English law.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryCardinal is used with these nouns:
    • archbishop
    • direction
    • importance
    • …
    See full entry
    Word OriginOld 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.
See cardinal in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: cardinal

Nearby words

perspective
noun
 
 
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