cardinal

• 表示某事物是最重要、最根本的；也用于表示基数的数字，即表示数量的数（如一、二、三）。

Describes something of primary or fundamental importance; also used to refer to numbers that denote quantity (one, two, three).

1. Most important or fundamentalB2formal

   Of the greatest importance; fundamental or primary.

   主要的

   • Honesty is a cardinal virtue in many cultures.
   • The cardinal rule of the game is to never cheat.
   • This is a cardinal principle of democratic governance.

   同义词basiccentralchiefforemostfundamentalkeymainprimaryprimeprincipal

   反义词minorsecondarysubordinateunimportant

2. B2formal

   Of a rich, deep red color, resembling the robes of a cardinal.

   枢机红

   • She wore a cardinal dress to the gala.
   • The cardinal flowers bloomed in the garden.
   • The sunset painted the sky a cardinal hue.

   同义词carminecherrycrimsonscarletvermilion

• 有多重含义的名词：可指罗马天主教会的高级官员（枢机主教），一种鸟（红衣主教鸟/北美红雀），或基数（如基数词）。

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Church, a type of bird (the Northern Cardinal), or a fundamental number (e.g., cardinal number).

1. High-ranking church officialB2formal

   A senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by the Pope, who advises him and elects his successor.

   枢机

   • The cardinals gathered in Rome for the conclave.
   • He was appointed cardinal by the Pope last year.
   • The cardinal delivered a sermon at the cathedral.

2. Bird speciesA2formalamerican

   A North American songbird (Cardinalis cardinalis) with a distinctive crest and bright red plumage in the male.

   红衣主教鸟

   • A bright red cardinal landed on the bird feeder.
   • We saw a cardinal singing in the tree this morning.
   • Cardinals are common backyard birds in the eastern United States.

   同义词redbird

3. B1formal

   A cardinal number, such as one, two, three, etc., used to denote quantity.

   基数词

   • The cardinal numbers are used for counting objects.
   • In the sentence 'I have three apples,' 'three' is a cardinal.
   • Learn the difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers.

   同义词cardinal number