Make Your Point > Archived Issues > CARDINAL

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

explore the archives: Cardinal, which means essential, fundamental, or basic, has a fancier four-syllable synonym in qu__________al. (Could you recall it?) Interestingly, cardinal is associated with the number four (the four winds--north, south, east, west; the four zodiac signs marking the two equinoxes and the two solstices) while our q-word is associated with the number five (from the earlier belief that, after fire, water, earth, and air, a fifth mysterious and essential element filled everything). make your point with... "CARDINAL" This word comes from the Latin for "hinge" and has many meanings. A cardinal is a certain type of religious dignitary who originally wore red official robes, and a cardinal is also a bird with a red marking. It's good to keep those associations in mind as you select "cardinal" over other words like "basic," "fundamental," and "essential." That's the meaning we'll focus on: Something cardinal is essential: it's very basic and very important, and everything else hinges on it. (Cardinal numbers are one, two, three, and so on. Cardinal points are north, south, east, and west. Cardinal sins are pride, avarice, etc.; cardinal virtues are justice, prudence, etc.) Pronunciation: CARD 'n ull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a cardinal thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was cardinal.") Other forms: cardinally, cardinality How to use it: Talk about cardinal sins and cardinal virtues, either seriously ("she committed the cardinal sin of pride;" "her cardinal virtue, temperance") or jokingly ("she committed the cardinal sin of arriving early to a party;" "this paper's cardinal virtues: clarity and detailed footnotes"). You can also talk about cardinal rules (very basic ones that should always be followed) or describe cardinal changes, cardinal differences, and cardinal improvements (those that are extremely basic and make a very important difference). examples: Some English teachers deem the use of "I" and "you" in formal papers as a cardinal sin. The cardinal rule of raising children, in my dad's words, is simply to love them. Everything else will follow from that. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "cardinal" means when you can explain it without saying "crucial" or "primary." try it out: Think of your profession or hobby, or one that you're interested in. Fill in the blanks: "The cardinal virtues in/of (your profession or hobby) are _____ and _____." Example: "The cardinal virtues of tutoring are preparation and patience." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A memory you have about something that didn't actually happen is a… 2. The machine a DJ uses to perform which usually includes multiple rotating plates is a… 3. A person's use of movements and gestures to express feelings or attitudes is… review today's word: 1. An opposite of CARDINAL is A. PRIMARY B. CHARACTERISTIC C. SUBORDINATE 2. It's clear to scientists that _____ have cardinally _____. A. human activities .. changed our climate B. the planets .. rocky or gaseous formations C. honey bees .. developed effective stingers and venom Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. A Answers to game questions: 1. false memory 2. turntable 3. body language