Question

cardinal a.最重要的；n.红衣主教 cardinal (n.) early 12c., "one of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the sacred college" (short for cardinalis ecclesiae Romanae or episcopus cardinalis), from Latin cardinalis "principal, chief, essential" (see cardinal (adj.)).Ecclesiastical use began for the presbyters of the chief (cardinal) churches of Rome. The North American songbird (Cardinalis virginianus) is attested from 1670s, so named for its resemblance to the cardinals in their red robes.cardinal (adj.) "chief, pivotal," early 14c., from Latin cardinalis "principal, chief, essential," from cardo (genitive cardinis) "that on which something turns or depends; pole of the sky," originally "door hinge," of unknown origin. Related: Cardinally.The cardinal points (1540s) are north, south, east, west. The cardinal sins (c.1600) are too well known to require rehearsal. The cardinal virtues (c.1300) were divided into natural (justice prudence, temperance, fortitude) and theological (faith, hope, charity). The natural ones were the original classical ones, which were amended by Christians. But typically in Middle English only the first four were counted as the cardinal virtues:Of þe uour uirtues cardinales spekeþ moche þe yealde philosofes. ["Ayenbite of Inwyt," c.1340]By analogy of this, and cardinal points, cardinal winds, cardinal signs (four zodiacal signs marking the equinoxes and the solstices), the adjective in Middle English acquired an association with the number four. 【记】card心，中心；心是红的；card 牌，说某人是一张牌就是这人是很重要的一个角色 ，原指教皇手手下的红衣主教，重要的，也有红衣服的意思

Accepted Answer

['kɑ:dinəl] 【英】 adj. 最重要的(most important);【考】 反义词：minor(次要 的)【记】 card(心脏的)+inal→ 心一样的→首要的 adj. 最重要的 = paramount【例】This is a matter of cardinal significance 这是最重要的事.【源】原指: 红衣主教(高级宗教官员, 级别仅低于教皇), 引申为重要的意思.【记】card心脏－是人体最重要的器官【参】cardiologist(n 心脏病专家)【反】minor(adj 次要的)

单词	cardinal
音标	['kɑ:dinəl]
解释	a.最重要的；n.红衣主教
红宝书	【英】 adj. 最重要的(most important); 【考】反义词：minor(次要的) 【记】 card(心脏的)+inal→ 心一样的→首要的
字源	cardinal (n.) early 12c., "one of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the sacred college" (short for cardinalis ecclesiae Romanae or episcopus cardinalis), from Latin cardinalis "principal, chief, essential" (see cardinal (adj.)). Ecclesiastical use began for the presbyters of the chief (cardinal) churches of Rome. The North American songbird (Cardinalis virginianus) is attested from 1670s, so named for its resemblance to the cardinals in their red robes. cardinal (adj.) "chief, pivotal," early 14c., from Latin cardinalis "principal, chief, essential," from cardo (genitive cardinis) "that on which something turns or depends; pole of the sky," originally "door hinge," of unknown origin. Related: Cardinally. The cardinal points (1540s) are north, south, east, west. The cardinal sins (c.1600) are too well known to require rehearsal. The cardinal virtues (c.1300) were divided into natural (justice prudence, temperance, fortitude) and theological (faith, hope, charity). The natural ones were the original classical ones, which were amended by Christians. But typically in Middle English only the first four were counted as the cardinal virtues: Of þe uour uirtues cardinales spekeþ moche þe yealde philosofes. ["Ayenbite of Inwyt," c.1340] By analogy of this, and cardinal points, cardinal winds, cardinal signs (four zodiacal signs marking the equinoxes and the solstices), the adjective in Middle English acquired an association with the number four.
不择手段背单词	adj. 最重要的 = paramount 【例】This is a matter of cardinal significance 这是最重要的事. 【源】原指: 红衣主教(高级宗教官员, 级别仅低于教皇), 引申为重要的意思. 【记】card心脏－是人体最重要的器官【参】cardiologist(n 心脏病专家) 【反】minor(adj 次要的)
趣味全助记	【记】card心，中心；心是红的；card 牌，说某人是一张牌就是这人是很重要的一个角色，原指教皇手手下的红衣主教，重要的，也有红衣服的意思

Cardinal Cardinalis Adj Early Ecclesiastical Latin Principal Chief