cardinal
US /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.nəl/
UK /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.nəl/
1.
a North American songbird of the family Cardinalidae, the male of which is typically bright red.
:
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A bright red cardinal landed on the bird feeder.
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The sound of the cardinal's song filled the morning air.
2.
a leading dignitary of the Roman Catholic Church, nominated by the Pope and forming the Sacred College which elects succeeding Popes.
:
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The new cardinal was appointed by the Pope.
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He hopes to become a cardinal one day.