English Dictionary
Definition of “canon”
1canon1 (ˈkænən
)
Definitions
noun
- Christianity a Church decree enacted to regulate morals or religious practices
- (often plural) a general rule or standard, as of judgment, morals, etc
- (often plural) a principle or accepted criterion applied in a branch of learning or art
- Roman Catholic Church the complete list of the canonized saints
- Roman Catholic Church the prayer in the Mass in which the Host is consecrated
- a list of writings, esp sacred writings, officially recognized as genuine
- 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)
- a list of the works of an author that are accepted as authentic
- (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, caneOld English, from Latin, from Greek rule, rod for measuring, standard; related to reed, 1
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
rule,
standard,
principle,
regulation,
formula,
criterion,
dictate,
statute,
yardstick,
precept,
2canon2 (ˈkænən)
Definitions
noun
- one of several priests on the permanent staff of a cathedral, who are responsible for organizing services, maintaining the fabric, etc
- Also called canon regularRoman Catholic Church a member of either of two religious orders, the Augustinian or Premonstratensian Canons, living communally as monks but performing clerical duties
Word Origin
C13: from Anglo-French canunie, from Late Latin canonicus one living under a rule, from canonC13: from Anglo-French from Late Latin one living under a rule, from 1
cañon (ˈkænjən)
Definitions
noun
- a variant spelling of canyon
canyon or cañon(ˈkænjən)
Definitions
noun
- a gorge or ravine, esp in North America, usually formed by the down-cutting of a river in a dry area where there is insufficient rainfall to erode the sides of the valley
Word Origin
C19: from Spanish cañón, from caña tube, from Latin canna cane
Usage examples
No examples available.
