Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

cardinal virtue

See more synonyms for cardinal virtue on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. anything considered to be an important or characteristic virtue: Tenacity is his cardinal virtue.
  2. cardinal virtues, Ancient Philosophy. justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude.
Show More

Origin of cardinal virtue

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for cardinal virtues

cardinal virtues

pl n
  1. the most important moral qualities, traditionally justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012