A canon is a member of the clergy who is on the staff of a cathedral.
2. countable noun
A canon of texts is a list of them that is accepted as genuine or important.
[formal]
He had to read a canon of accepted literary texts. [+ of]
...the Irish literary canon.
3. countable noun
A canon is a general rule or principle.
[formal]
The very first canon of nursing is to keep the air inside as fresh as the air outside.
Synonyms: list, index, catalogue, syllabus More Synonyms of canon
More Synonyms of canon
canon in British English1
(ˈkænən)
noun
1. Christianity
a Church decree enacted to regulate morals or religious practices
2. (often plural)
a general rule or standard, as of judgment, morals, etc
3. (often plural)
a principle or accepted criterion applied in a branch of learning or art
4. Roman Catholic Church
the complete list of the canonized saints
5. Roman Catholic Church
the prayer in the Mass in which the Host is consecrated
6.
a list of writings, esp sacred writings, officially recognized as genuine
7.
a piece of music in which an extended melody in one part is imitated successively in one or more other parts
See also round (sense 31), catch (sense 33)
8.
a list of the works of an author that are accepted as authentic
9.
(formerly) a size of printer's type equal to 48 point
Word origin
Old English, from Latin, from Greek kanōn rule, rod for measuring, standard; related to kanna reed, cane1
canon in British English2
(ˈkænən)
noun
1.
one of several priests on the permanent staff of a cathedral, who are responsible for organizing services, maintaining the fabric, etc
2. Also called: canon regular Roman Catholic Church
a member of either of two religious orders, the Augustinian or Premonstratensian Canons, living communally as monks but performing clerical duties
Derived forms
canonical (kəˈnɒnɪkəl) or canonic
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Anglo-French canunie, from Late Latin canonicus one living under a rule, from canon1
cañon in British English
(ˈkænjən)
noun
a variant spelling of canyon
canon in American English1
(ˈkænən)
noun
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. [oftenC-]; Ecclesiastical
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
SIMILAR WORDS: law
Word origin
ME < OE & OFr < L, measuring line, rule (hence, in ML(Ec), sacred writings admittedto the catalog according to the rule) < Gr kanōn, rule, rod < kanna: see cane
canon in American English2
(ˈkænən)
noun
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
Word origin
ME < OE canonic & OFr chanoine < LL(Ec) canonicus, a cleric, one living by the canon: see canon1
cañon in American English
(ˈkænjən; Spanish kɑˈnjɔn)
noun
alt. sp. of
canyon
Examples of 'canon' in a sentence
canon
Never had any doctrine or reading of canon law prevented him from beholding a religion's pure and numinous core.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (1988)
`But wouldn't becoming a canon be a step down from being an archdeacon?
Howatch, Susan ULTIMATE PRIZES (1988)
Word lists with
canon
Types of composition
All related terms of 'canon'
canon law
Canon law is the law of the Christian Church. It has authority only for that church and its members.
crab canon
a canon in which the imitating voice repeats the notes of the theme in reverse order
minor canon
a member of the clergy who is attached to a cathedral to assist at daily services but who is not a member of the chapter
canon regular
a clergyman of certain religious communities following a monastic rule
mirror canon
a canon in which the parts are written as though seen in a mirror placed between them: one part or set of parts is the upside-down image of the other
canon cancrizans
a canon in which the imitating voice repeats the notes of the theme in reverse order
retrograde canon
a canon in which the imitating voice repeats the notes of the theme in reverse order
Chinese translation of 'canon'
canon
(ˈkænən)
n(c)
(= clergyman) 大教堂教士 (dàjiàotáng jiàoshì) (位, wèi)
(frm, = rule) 准(準)则(則) (zhǔnzé)
Nearby words of
canon
cannot
canoe
canoeing
canon
canteen
canter
Cantonese
1 (noun)
Definition
a general rule or standard
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
Synonyms
rule
An important rule is to drink plenty of water.
standard
My father has always had high moral standards.
principle
a violation of the basic principles of Marxism
regulation
new safety regulations
formula
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
criterion
Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.
dictate
We have followed the dictates of our consciences.
statute
a new statute to take in both pay and discrimination laws
yardstick
an exceptional vintage by any yardstick
precept
the precepts of Buddhism
2 (noun)
Definition
a list of the works of an author that are accepted as authentic
the body of work which constitutes the canon of English literature as taught in schools
Synonyms
list
There were six names on the list.
index
There's even a special subject index.
catalogue
One of the authors of the catalogue is the Professor of Art History.
syllabus
roll
A new electoral roll should be drawn up.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of catalogue
Definition
a list of all the books of a library
One of the authors of the catalogue is the Professor of Art History.
Synonyms
list,
record,
schedule,
index,
register,
directory,
inventory,
gazetteer
in the sense of criterion
Definition
a standard by which something can be judged or decided
Exam results shouldn't be the only criterion for your choice of school.