Cardinal vs. Maroon: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 12, 2023
Cardinal" refers to a bright red color or a high-ranking church official, while "Maroon" is a dark reddish-brown color or a person stranded in a remote place.
Key Differences
The term Cardinal, when used in a color context, refers to a vivid and bright shade of red. It's bold and can be easily spotted. Conversely, Maroon describes a deeper, dark reddish-brown hue, which is often considered richer and more subdued than cardinal red.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Beyond color, Cardinal has religious connotations, specifically referring to high-ranking officials in the Roman Catholic Church. These officials are second only to the Pope. In contrast, Maroon, when not used as a color, indicates someone who has been left behind or stranded, often in a remote place.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Cardinal can also denote importance or fundamental principles, as in "cardinal directions" or "cardinal rules." Maroon, when used as a verb, signifies the act of abandoning someone in a desolate location without resources.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
While both Cardinal and Maroon have connections to color, their additional meanings diverge significantly. One has religious and principled implications, and the other brings forth imagery of isolation and abandonment.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
In summary, both Cardinal and Maroon play dual roles in the English language, representing distinct shades of red and also holding unique meanings outside the realm of color.
Harlon Moss
Oct 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Alternate Meaning
High-ranking church official
Person stranded; act of stranding
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
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Cardinal and Maroon Definitions
Cardinal
A high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Church
The cardinal visited our city last month.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Maroon
To leave someone trapped and isolated
He was marooned on a deserted island for weeks.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
Cardinal
Relating to the hinge joint of the body
The cardinal movements of the head are crucial to understand.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Maroon
A person who is stranded (often due to shipwreck)
The maroons built a makeshift shelter.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
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Maroon
A type of explosive firework
The maroon erupted with a loud bang during the celebration.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
Cardinal
Abbr. Card. Roman Catholic Church A high church official, ranking just below the pope, who has been appointed by a pope to membership in the College of Cardinals.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
Descendants of runaway slaves in the Americas
The maroons have a rich cultural heritage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Maroon
To put ashore on a deserted island or coast and intentionally abandon.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
A North American bird (Cardinalis cardinalis) having a crested head, a short thick bill, and bright red plumage in the male.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
To abandon or isolate with little hope of ready rescue or escape
The travelers were marooned by the blizzard.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
A short hooded cloak, originally of scarlet cloth, worn by women in the 1700s.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
(nautical) Of or relating to the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west).
A cardinal mark
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Describing a "natural" number used to indicate quantity (e.g., zero, one, two, three), as opposed to an ordinal number indicating relative position.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
An escaped negro of the Caribbean and the Americas or a descendant of such a person.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Having a bright red color (from the color of a Catholic cardinal's cassock).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
(Roman Catholic) One of the officials appointed by the pope in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking only below the pope and the patriarchs, constituting the special college which elects the pope. (See Wikipedia article on Catholic cardinals.)
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
(nautical) A rocket-propelled firework or skyrocket, often one used as a signal (e.g. to summon the crew of a lifeboat or warn of an air raid).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Any of various related passerine birds of the family Cardinalidae (See Wikipedia article on cardinals) and other similar birds that were once considered to be related.
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
(color) A deep red color, somewhat less vivid than scarlet, the traditional colour of a Catholic cardinal's cassock. cardinal red}}
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
(math) dot=, a number indicating quantity, or the size of a set (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3). Cardinal_number.}}
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
In the West Indies and Guiana, a fugitive slave, or a free negro, living in the mountains.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
A brownish or dull red of any description, esp. of a scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
A woman's short cloak with a hood, originally made of scarlet cloth.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
To put (a person) ashore on a desolate island or coast and leave him to his fate.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Of fundamental importance; preëminent; superior; chief; principal.
The cardinal intersections of the zodiac.
Impudence is now a cardinal virtue.
But cardinal sins, and hollow hearts, I fear ye.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
One of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the pope's council, or the sacred college.
The clerics of the supreme Chair are called Cardinals, as undoubtedly adhering more nearly to the hinge by which all things are moved.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
A person who is stranded (as on an island);
When the tide came in I was a maroon out there
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
A woman's short cloak with a hood.
Where's your cardinal! Make haste.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
Leave stranded or isolated withe little hope og rescue;
The travellers were marooned
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
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Jan 01, 2023
Maroon
Leave stranded on a desert island without resources;
The mutinous sailors were marooned on an island
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
The number of elements in a mathematical set; denotes a quantity but not the order
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Crested thick-billed North American finch having bright red plumage in the male
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Serving as an essential component;
A cardinal rule
The central cause of the problem
An example that was fundamental to the argument
Computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order;
Cardinal numbers
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Jan 01, 2023
Cardinal
Of prime importance; fundamental
Respect is a cardinal rule in our household.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Cardinal
A North American bird, typically red
A beautiful cardinal perched on the windowsill.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
FAQs
What does it mean to maroon someone?
To maroon means to leave someone trapped and isolated, often in a remote place.
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
What rank does a cardinal hold in the church?
A cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Roman Catholic Church, second only to the Pope.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is a cardinal a bird too?
Yes, a cardinal is also a North American bird, typically red in color.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is maroon a natural or man-made color?
While maroon can be produced artificially, it's also a natural color seen in various elements of nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
How do cardinals get their position in the church?
Cardinals are appointed by the Pope.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Can maroon be used as a verb?
Yes, "to maroon" means to strand or abandon someone.
Harlon Moss
Oct 12, 2023
Is maroon always associated with negative connotations like stranding?
No, while it can mean stranding, it's also appreciated as a rich color and has historical significance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
What are cardinal rules?
Cardinal rules are fundamental or primary rules or principles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
What's the origin of the word maroon in the context of stranding?
It comes from the Spanish "cimarrón", meaning "wild" or "untamed".
Sara Rehman
Oct 12, 2023
Is the color cardinal associated with any specific institutions?
Yes, several universities and organizations use cardinal as their official color.
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
Does the Catholic Church have an official shade for cardinal?
While "cardinal red" is associated with the Church, there isn't an exact shade that's universally accepted.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Are the color meanings of cardinal and maroon recent?
No, both have been used to describe colors for centuries.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
How is maroon created in art or design?
It's often a mix of red and brown, sometimes with a touch of blue.
Janet White
Oct 12, 2023
Can cardinal also refer to directions?
Yes, "cardinal directions" refer to the four main compass points: north, south, east, and west.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
What's the difference between cardinal red and crimson?
While both are shades of red, cardinal is usually brighter, while crimson has a slightly bluish tint.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 12, 2023
Can the term maroon refer to communities in history?
Yes, maroons also refer to descendants of runaway slaves in the Americas.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Are there any birds named maroon?
Not specifically named "maroon", but some birds may have maroon-colored plumage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Is maroon popular in fashion?
Yes, maroon is often used in clothing, especially in fall and winter collections.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
