An archaic or regional term, possibly referring to a type of cloth, a clerical vestment, or an official staff or insignia of authority.
Possibly from Latin 'cardellus' (a plant, possibly saffron) or from Romance language sources. The exact etymology and meaning are uncertain, suggesting this is an obsolete or highly specialized term.
This word is so obscure that modern dictionaries barely mention it—it might have been a tailor's term or a ceremonial object that lost importance centuries ago, and we lost the word when we lost the thing.
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