adjective

1. of main importance; principal; chief
2. bright-red, like the robe of a cardinal

Etymology: ME < OFr < L cardinalis, principal, chief < cardo, that on which something turns or depends, orig., door hinge: see scherzo

noun

1. one of the Roman Catholic officials appointed by the pope to his council ( College of Cardinals)
2. bright red
3. a woman's short cloak, originally red and usually hooded, fashionable in the 18th cent.
4. ☆

   Etymology: so named because colored like a cardinal's robe

   any of various passerine birds (family Emberizidae); esp., a bright-red, crested American species (Cardinalis cardinalis) with a red bill
5. cardinal number

Etymology: ME < LL(Ec) cardinalis, chief presbyter, cardinal < the L adj.