Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CARD, n.² [D. kaard; kardetsche; Dan. karde; Sw. karda; Fr. carde; Arm. encardoner; Sp. carda, teasel, and a card: Port. carda, a card, and cardo, a thistle; L. carduus; It. cardo, a thistle and a card; L. caro, to card; Ir. cir, a comb. It seems that card, and L. carduus, are the same word, and probably the plant (teasel) is the original word, or both are from a common root. The French carde is a card, and the stalks of the artichoke. Artichoke is so written for cardichoke.]

An instrument for combing, opening, and breaking wool or flax, freeing it from the coarser parts, and from extraneous matter. It is made by inserting bent teeth of wire in a thick piece of leather, and nailing this to a piece of oblong board, to which a handle is attached. But wool and cotton are now generally carded in mills by teeth fixed on a wheel moved by water.

CARD, v.i.

To play much at cards; to gain. Johnson.

CARD, v.t.

To comb, or open wool, flax, hemp, &c., with a card, for the purpose of cleansing it of extraneous matter, separating the coarser parts, and making it fine and soft for spinning.

CARD'A-MINE, n. [Gr.]

The name of a genus of plants; the popular names of several species of which are Lady's smock, Cuckow-flower, meadow cress, &c.

CARD'A-MOM, n. [Gr. καρδαμωμον.]

A plant of the genus Amomum, and its seeds, a native of India. The seeds of this plant, which grow in a pod, have a warm aromatic flavor, and are used in medicine. Encyc.

CARD'ED, pp.

Combed; opened; cleansed with cards.

CARD'ER, n.

One who cards wool; also, one who plays much at cards. Wotton.

CARD'I-AC, or CARD-I'AC-AL, a. [L. cardiacus; Gr. καρδιακος, from καρδια, the heart.]

1. Pertaining to the heart.
2. Exciting action in the heart, through the medium of the stomach; having the quality of stimulating action in the system, invigorating the spirits, and giving strength and cheerfulness. Med. Dict.

CARD'I-AC, n.

A medicine which excites action in the stomach, and animates the spirits.

CAR'DI-ACE, n.

A precious stone.

CARD'I-AL-GY, n. [Gr. καρδια, the heart, and αλγος, pain.]

The heart-burn, a violent sensation of heat and acrimony in the upper or left orifice of the stomach, seemingly at the heart, but rising into the esophagus. It is called also the cardiac passion.

CARD'I-NAL, a. [L. cardinalis, said to be from cardo, a hinge.]

Chief, principal, pre-eminent, or fundamental; as, the cardinal virtues, which Pagans supposed to be Justice, Prudence, Temperance, and Fortitude.

CARD'I-NAL, n.

1. An ecclesiastical prince in the Romish Church, who has a voice in the conclave at the election of a Pope, who is taken from their number. The cardinals are divided into three classes or orders, containing six bishops, fifty priests, and fourteen deacons, making seventy. These constitute the sacred college, and compose the Pope's council. Originally they were subordinate in rank to bishops; but they have now the precedence. The dress of a cardinal is a red soutaine or cassoc, a rocket, a short purple mantle, and a red hat. Encyc. Spelman.
2. A woman's cloke. Cardinal-flower, a plant of the, genus Lobelia, of many species. They are fibrous-rooted perennials, rising from two to five or six feet high, with erect stalks, ornamented with oblong, oval, spear-shaped simple leaves, and spikes of beautiful monopetalous flowers, of scarlet, blue, and violet colors. The natives of this country use a decoction of one species, the syphilitica, as a remedy in the venereal disease. Encyc. Cardinal numbers, are the numbers one, two, three, &c. in distinction from first, second, third, &c., which are called ordinal numbers. Cardinal points, in cosmography, are the four intersections of the horizon with the meridian, and the prime vertical circle, or North and South, East and West. In astrology, the cardinal points are the rising and setting of the sun, the Zenith and Nadir. Cardinal signs, in astronomy, are Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn. Cardinal virtues. Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. Cardinal winds, are those which blow from the cardinal points.

CARD'I-NAL-ATE, or CARD'I-NAL-SHIP, n.

The office, rank, or dignity of a cardinal.

CARD'I-NAL-IZE, v.t.

To make a cardinal. [Little used.] Sheldon.

CARD'ING, ppr.

1. Combing, as flax, wool, &c.
2. Playing at cards. [Little used.]

CARD'ING-MA-CHINE, n.

A machine lately invented, for combing, breaking, and cleansing wool and cotton. It consists of cylinders, thick set with teeth, and moved by the force of water, steam, &c.

CARD'I-OID, n. [Gr. καρδια, heart, and ειδος, form.]

An algebraic curve, so called from its resemblance to a heart. Chambers.

CARD'ITE, n.

Fossil, or petrified shells of the genus Cardium. Jameson.

CAR-DI'TIS, n.

Inflammation of the heart.

CARD'-MAK-ER, n. [card and maker.]

A maker of cards.

CARD'-MATCH, n. [card and match.]

A match made by dipping pieces of card in melted sulphur. Addison.

CAR-DOON', n. [Sp. cardon; L. carduus.]

A species of Cynara, resembling the artichoke, but larger. Chambers.

CARD'-TA-BLE, n.

The table appropriated to the use of gamesters, or used for playing cards on.

CAR'DU-US-BEN-E-DICT'US, n.

The herb blessed thistle.