cardinal sin
Definition of cardinal sin
: a very bad or serious sin in Christianity —often used figuratively or humorously Giving false information is a cardinal sin in news reporting. He committed the cardinal sin of criticizing his boss.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
: a high ecclesiastical official of the Roman Catholic Church who ranks next below the pope and is appointed by him to assist him as a member of the college of cardinals (see college 4)
: cardinal number
: a crested finch (Cardinalis cardinalis of the family Cardinalidae) of the eastern U.S. and adjacent Canada, the southwestern U.S., and Mexico to Belize which has a black face and heavy red bill in both sexes and is nearly completely red in the male
: of basic importance
: very serious or grave
: an offense against religious or moral law
: an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible
: an often serious shortcoming : fault
: to commit a sin
: to commit an offense or fault
: sine
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