canon

canon

canon¹ [kan′ən]

n.

[ME < OE & OFr < L, measuring line, rule (hence, in ML(Ec), sacred writings admitted to the catalog according to the rule) < Gr kanōn, rule, rod < kanna: see CANE]

1. a law or body of laws of a church

2. Rare any law or decree

3.

a) an established or basic rule or principle [the canons of good taste]

b) a standard to judge by; criterion

c) a body of rules, principles, criteria, etc.

4.

a) the books of the Bible officially accepted by a church or religious body as divinely inspired

b) the works ascribed to an author that are accepted as genuine

c) the complete works, as of an author

d) those works, authors, etc. accepted as major or essential [the Victorian canon]

5.

a) [often C-] Eccles. the fundamental and essentially unvarying part of the Mass, between the Preface and Communion, that centers on consecration of the bread and wine

b) a list of recognized saints as in the Roman Catholic Church

6. Music

a) a contrapuntal device in which a melody introduced in one voice is restated in one or more other voices that overlap the first and successive voices in continuous and strict imitation

b) a composition so constructed

SYN.- LAW

canon² [kan′ən]

n.

[ME < OE canonic & OFr chanoine < LL(Ec) canonicus, a cleric, one living by the canon: see CANON¹]

1. a member of a clerical group living according to a canon, or rule

2. a clergyman serving in a cathedral or collegiate church

3. CANON REGULAR