cardenal

cardinal

noun kahr-deh-NAHL Rare

Origin: From Latin cardinalis (principal, hinge), also applied to the scarlet-robed church official.

Also means

bruise

Usage Note

Cardenal has two very common meanings: a Catholic cardinal (high-ranking church official) and a bruise (the purplish discoloration of skin). The bruise sense is standard across Spanish-speaking countries. Context almost always disambiguates the two.

Examples

"El cardenal presidió la ceremonia en la catedral."

Natural Translation

The cardinal presided over the ceremony in the cathedral.

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