cardinal

Adjective

• being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order
  • cardinal numbers
    

• serving as an essential component
  • a cardinal rule
    
  • the central cause of the problem
    
  • an example that was fundamental to the argument
    
  • computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
    

Noun

• crested thick-billed North American finch having bright red plumage in the male

• a variable color averaging a vivid red

• the number of elements in a mathematical set; denotes a quantity but not the order

• (Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  central , fundamental , key , primal , cardinal grosbeak , Richmondena Cardinalis , Cardinalis cardinalis , redbird , carmine , cardinal number