canon
canon Lexical Profile
canon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine and authoritative, or the recognized body of works by a particular author, artist, or tradition considered most important.
"Her landmark novel quickly earned a permanent place in the twentieth-century literary canon."
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
"The minimalist building defied every traditional canon of classical architecture."
A church decree or law, especially one enacted by an ecclesiastical council and ratified by the pope.
"The tribunal examined the marriage annulment request under traditional church canons."
A contrapuntal musical composition in which a melody is introduced by one voice or instrument and then imitated successively by others at fixed intervals.
"The string quartet practiced the intricate timing of the baroque canon before the evening recital."
A member of the clergy who belongs to the chapter of a cathedral or collegiate church.
"The resident canon welcomed the visiting choir to the historic cathedral."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its homophone 'cannon' (a large piece of artillery); 'canon' with a single 'n' refers to an established rule, standard, or body of works.
• Rhymes for canon
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French and Latin canon, from Ancient Greek kanōn ('measuring rod, rule, standard'), which is ultimately of Semitic origin and akin to Hebrew qāneh ('reed').