Cardinal

(kārdīn-al.) [ L. cardinal is.] That which is head, chief, or principal; as, the cardinal virtues, which, among the ancients, were justice, prudence, fortitude, temperance.-Cardinal points. (Geog.) The four points of the compa , or E., W., N., and S.-(Astrol.) The rising and setting of the sun, the zenith, and nadir. Cardinal signs. (Ast.) Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn. They note the 4 quarters of the year, or the 2equinoxes, and 2 solstices.-(Eccl. Hist.) An ecclesiastical prince in the Roman Catholic Church; being the highest rank of the priesthood after that of Pope. The number has been, in modern times, limited to 70, but at present the exact number is not more than 58. They are distinguished by wearing a scarlet hat, and a short purple 10 T mantle over the rochet. The election of the popes is carried on by a majority of the body of C. met in conclave. [s. 145]