cardinal
7
5.5
- adjective
- /ˈkɑrdɪnəl/
:
cardinal
- In mathematics, a cardinal number indicates how many objects are in a set, such as three apples.
Examples
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When counting items, we use cardinal numbers like one, two, and three.
-
Should he test him on the four cardinal points of the compass and the elements?
Fiction book (1990) -
On the other die, put the letters n, n, s, s, e, and w for the cardinal directions.
Academic text (2000) -
Measurements were recorded in each of the four cardinal directions and averaged for each point.
Academic text (2017) -
The east-facing building is aligned to the cardinal directions.
Academic text (2004) -
The text also shows that the Indians used four cardinal points to ensure the correct orientation of altars.
Blog text (17) -
The three cardinal symptoms of heart failure are dyspnea, edema, and fatigue.
Academic text (2011) -
The directional placement of grandfathers and their roles in prayers demonstrate a relation with the cardinal directions.
Academic text (2017) -
Kristin Shumann, aka "the Braille lady," e-mailed an O&M game designed to reinforce cardinal directions.
Academic text (2000) -
The teacher explained that a cardinal number is used to express quantity, in contrast to ordinal numbers that indicate position.
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
2.4
A number that shows how many things there are, not their order, for example one, two, three
- Formal
1
8.9
One of the four main moral qualities: careful thinking, fairness, self-control, and courage
A tall plant from eastern North America with dense spikes of blue flowers
One of the four main directions on a compass: north, east, south, or west
A bright red North American bird with a crest and a thick beak that eats seeds
- Specialized
A large early blood vessel in animal embryos that carries blood back to the heart
- Specialized
A main vein in an embryo that carries blood from the head to the heart
A North American songbird with a crest and thick bill, male bright red and female brown with red highlights
- Specialized
A large vein in an animal embryo that carries blood from the tail and back to the heart
Surface Forms
Etymology
Cardinal comes from the old Latin word cardo meaning 'hinge' or 'turn', so it grew to mean something 'main' or central. That's why cardinal numbers are the main numbers that tell 'how many', not their order.