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Of fundamental importance; preëminet; superior; chief; principal. The cardinal intersections of the zodiac. Sir T. Browne. Impudence is now a cardinal virtue. Drayton. But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye. Shak. Cardinal numbers, the numbers one, two, three, etc., in distinction from first, second, third, et…

ription, formed like a sheet of paper with the edges rolled up; hence, any tablet of ornamental form.

A tree (Anacardium occidentale) of the same family which the sumac. It is native in tropical America, but is now naturalized in all tropical countries. Its fruit, a kidney-shaped nut, grows at the extremity of an edible, pear-shaped hypocarp, about three inches long. Casbew nut, the large, kidney-shaped fruit of the ca…

A small chest or box, esp. of rich material or ornamental character, as for jewels, etc. The little casket bring me hither. Shak.

A piece of defensive or ornamental armor (with or without a vizor) for the head and neck; a helmet. His casque overshadowed with brilliant plumes. Prescott.

A West Indian tree (Turpinia occidentalis) of the family Staphyleaceæ.

Happening or coming to pass without design, and without being foreseen or expected; accidental; fortuitous; coming by chance. Casual breaks, in the general system. W. Irving.

Without design; accidentally; fortuitously; by chance; occasionally.

Indian trees, of which the best know species are the Catalpa bignonioides, a large, ornamental North American tree, with spotted white flowers and long cylindrical pods, and the C. speciosa, of the Mississipi valley; -- called also Indian bean.

The commercial hundredweight in several of the continental countries, varying in different places from 100 to about 112 pounds.

To exhibit mental activity; to have the brain in action.

An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; -- used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery.

hangings for a chamber. -- Chamber lye, urine. Shak. -- Chamber music, vocal or instrumental music adapted to performance in a chamber or small apartment or audience room, instead of a theater, concert hall, or chuch. -- Chamber practice (Law.), the practice of counselors at law, who give their opinions in private,…

An ornamental bordering or framelike decoration around the sides and top of a door, window, or fireplace. The top piece is called the traverse and the side pieces the ascendants.

A hood; especially, an ornamental or an official hood. His head and face covered with a chaperon, out of which there are but two holes to look through. Howell.

The constitution, or fundamental law, of the French monarchy, as established on the restoration of Louis XVIII., in 1814.

The art of ornamenting metal by means of chasing tools; also, a piece of ornamental work produced in this way.

An ornamental hook, or brooch worn by a lady at her waist, and having a short chain or chains attached for a watch, keys, trinkets, etc. Also used adjectively; as, a chatelaine chain.

The tree itself, or its light, coarse-grained timber, used for ornamental work, furniture, etc.

Having a chevron; decorated with an ornamental figure of a zigzag from. [A garment] whose nether parts, with their bases, were of watchet cloth of silver, chevroned all over with lace. B. Jonson.