[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

cardinal \car"dinal\, a. l. cardinalis, fr. cardo the hinge of
   a door, that on which a thing turns or depends: cf. f.
   cardinal.
   of fundamental importance; pre"eminent; superior; chief;
   principal.
   1913 webster

         the cardinal intersections of the zodiac. --sir t.
                                                  browne.
   1913 webster

         impudence is now a cardinal virtue.      --drayton.
   1913 webster

         but cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, i fear ye.
                                                  --shak.
   1913 webster

   cardinal numbers, the numbers one, two, three, etc., in
      distinction from first, second, third, etc., which are
      called ordinal numbers.

   cardinal points
   a geol. the four principal points of the compass, or
       intersections of the horizon with the meridian and the
       prime vertical circle, north, south east, and west.
   b astrol. the rising and setting of the sun, the zenith
       and nadir.

   cardinal signs astron. aries, libra, cancer, and
      capricorn.

   cardinal teeth zool., the central teeth of bivalve shell.
      see bivalve.

   cardinal veins anat., the veins in vertebrate embryos,
      which run each side of the vertebral column and returm the
      blood to the heart. they remain through life in some
      fishes.

   cardinal virtues, pre"eminent virtues; among the
      ancients, prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.

   cardinal winds, winds which blow from the cardinal points
      due north, south, east, or west.
      1913 webster
see also:
cardinal numbers ordinal numbers cardinal points cardinal signs cardinal teeth bivalve 
cardinal veins cardinal virtues cardinal winds 

Cardinal Points >> C Words
Cardinal Points, definition of term: Cardinal Points
cardinal+points_pag1.html

Points >> P Words
Points, definition of term: Points
points_pag1.html

Cardinal >> C Words
Cardinal, definition of term: Cardinal
cardinal_pag1.html

Cardinal Number >> C Words
Cardinal Number, definition of term: Cardinal Number
cardinal+number_pag1.html

Cardinal Virtue >> C Words
Cardinal Virtue, definition of term: Cardinal Virtue
cardinal+virtue_pag1.html

Cardinal Richel >> C Words
Cardinal Richel, definition of term: Cardinal Richel
cardinal+richel_pag1.html

Cardinal Number >> C Words
Cardinal Number, definition of term: Cardinal Number
cardinal+number_pag1.html

Cardinal Bird >> C Words
Cardinal Bird, definition of term: Cardinal Bird
cardinal+bird_pag1.html

Seven Points >> S Words
Seven Points, definition of term: Seven Points
seven+points_pag1.html