Cardinal
/ˈkɑːrdɪnəl/noun
A high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, often involved in electing the pope.
Did you know?The term 'Cardinal' comes from the Latin 'cardinalis', meaning 'pertaining to the hinge', suggesting something essential or crucial—like how a hinge is vital to a door's function.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
cardinalis
“pertaining to the hinge, crucial, essential”
Old French
Old French
cardinal
“of primary importance, essential”
Middle English
Middle English
cardinal
“important ecclesiastical figure, influential in church matters”
Modern English
English
cardinal
“high-ranking church official, person of authority in the Catholic Church”
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