cardinal virtue

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardinal virtue¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

Belying his stern image, his first encyclical, the most authoritative form of papal writing, centered on love, one of three treatises he planned to write on the cardinal virtues of love, hope and faith.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the cardinal virtues, according to the Stoics, are courage and wisdom.

From Washington Post

"I heard that forgiveness is a cardinal virtue for Hindus," I said.

From Salon

Doubt is a cardinal virtue in the sciences, which advance through skeptics’ willingness to question the experts.

From Washington Post

Slack is very useful at a publication like The Verge, where speed is a cardinal virtue.

From The Verge