cardinal virtue

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noun

anything considered to be an important or characteristic virtue: Tenacity is his cardinal virtue.
cardinal virtues, Ancient Philosophy. justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude.

Origin of cardinal virtue

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Words nearby cardinal virtue

cardinal symptom, cardinal system, cardinal tetra, cardinal trait, cardinal veins, cardinal virtue, cardinal virtues, cardinal vowel, cardinal vowels, cardinalate, cardinalfish

British Dictionary definitions for cardinal virtues

cardinal virtues

pl n

the most important moral qualities, traditionally justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude