Many words of our language bear the stamp of a firmly forgotten past. For example, the word “cardinally”. Where did it come from? What does it mean? And why is it so actively used in modern life? Why is this word consonant with the name of Catholic priests and resembles the medical name of the heart? Maybe this is somehow connected with each other?
Origin
The word cardinal has nothing to do with Catholic cardinals, although the root of the word is the same. 
Latin cardo was interpreted as “core”, “base”, “main circumstance”. In the process of developing the Latin language, the word was changed to cardinālis, which meant “main”, “main”. From here came the prefix "cardio" - the Romans, like many other peoples, considered the heart to be the most important organ of man. However, other Latin scholars derive cardinālis from another concept meaning “door hook”.
How everything really happened, let linguists understand. This topic is not for one dissertation. The important thing is that the word “cardinal” has passed into the Russian language and has become synonymous with “importance”, “significance”, and “foundation”. Now “cardinally” has become a synonym for “essential”, “weighty” and “important”.
Interesting adjective
As a noun, the Latin "cardio" did not live long in Russian. But his adjective was destined for a completely different fate. We can say that the concept of "cardio" has undergone dramatic changes in life. Currently, the word is more often associated with important, and sometimes catastrophic, changes affecting the foundations of human concepts and values. The concept of "cardinally" is now not only a tool used to describe personal problems, but also to characterize society. Any sharp change in the life of a nation, state, or even the universe can be supplemented by the concept of "cardinal."
Dictionaries
Classical dictionaries of the Russian language identify the word “cardinal” with something important, essential, and most important. But later editions add one more interpretation to this concept - “changed decisively”. There is no such meaning of the word “cardinal” in other languages. But use it in colloquial speech with caution.
It is possible and it is impossible
Russian is very sensitive. And the careless use of adjectives invariably cuts the ear. So it happened with the adjective "cardinally." This word is often used in the media: newspapers, magazines, online publications. But is it always appropriate? Drastic changes or a turn - so to speak. But a cardinal success or path - already cuts the ear. The cardinal importance is generally worthless. It turns out "oil-oil", which is so ruthlessly deleted in the texts by the editors.
This flexible word indicates only dramatic changes in fate, but not at all what a person expected or persistently sought. Gradual advancement in life can be associated with aspiration and perseverance. In a sense, “slow” or “uniform” are the antonyms of the word “cardinal”. But you can replace it when writing with the words "decisive" or "irrevocable."
Importance and Change
Fundamental changes - this is the most convenient form of adjective. It will tell about how a person suddenly decided to turn his life around, it is so important that he reacted to his decision. Drastic changes promise a lot of surprises, but do not think that they will all be unpleasant. We know many people who have changed their lives, their biographies can be found in popular magazines and on the pages of social networks.In order for radical changes to occur, the will of chance is not enough. As time shows, a person was internally ready to change, and the impetus for change was an unexpected turn of fate.
If an individual is not ready for changes in his life, cardinal changes will never occur. Change requires determination, inner maturity, and the ability to take advantage of circumstances. Many people in whose lives dramatic changes have become better and stronger, but many, unfortunately, have been broken by fate. As you can see, any changes can bring grief and joy in life. Perhaps radical changes will affect you once. In this case, try not to look at them through the prism of discontent, but, using the circumstances, try to change your own life for the better.
