Word: cardinal (adjective, noun)

Associations

The word "cardinal" has two main uses: as an adjective and as a noun.

As an adjective, "cardinal" means very important or fundamental. It is often used to describe something that is a main rule, point, or principle.

• Example 1: "Honesty is a cardinal rule in our family." Here, "cardinal" means the most important rule.
• Example 2: "A cardinal mistake in this job could cost a lot." It means a very serious or important mistake.
• Example 3: "The cardinal point of his argument was fairness." It means the main or key point.

As a noun, "cardinal" can mean:

1. A high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Church.
2. A type of bird with bright red feathers (especially the male cardinal).
   • Example 1: "The cardinal wore a red robe." (religious official)
   • Example 2: "I saw a beautiful cardinal in the garden." (bird)

Synonym difference: For the adjective meaning "important," synonyms include "main," "key," and "principal." "Cardinal" emphasizes something fundamental or essential, often in rules or principles. "Main" is more general, "key" suggests importance but less formal, and "principal" means primary but can be used for people or things.

Substitution

In place of "cardinal" (adjective), you can use:

• "main" (less formal, general importance)
• "key" (important but maybe less formal)
• "principal" (formal, primary)
• "fundamental" (very basic or essential)

For the noun (church official), alternatives would be more specific titles like "bishop" or "archbishop," but "cardinal" is a unique rank.

For the noun (bird), you can say "red bird," but "cardinal" is the specific name.

Deconstruction

The word "cardinal" comes from Latin "cardinalis," which means "principal" or "pivotal." It comes from "cardo," meaning "hinge" or "pivot." So, something cardinal is like a hinge point — very important around which other things turn.

As a noun for the church official, the term was used because cardinals are key advisors, central to the Church's decisions.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a rule or idea in your life that you would call a "cardinal rule"? Why is it so important?
• Have you ever seen a cardinal bird? What color was it?
• Why do you think the word "cardinal" is used for both important things and a church official? What do they have in common?