canon1
n.
- a general rule or principle by which something is judged.
▸a Church decree or law.
- a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
▸the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine.
▸a list of literary works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality.
- the part of the Roman Catholic Mass containing the words of consecration.
- Music a piece in which the same melody is begun in different parts successively, so that the imitations overlap.
Phrase
- in canon
Music with different parts successively beginning the same melody.
Etymology
OE: from L., from Gk kanōn ‘rule’, reinforced in ME by OFr. canon.
canon2
n.
- a member of the clergy on the staff of a cathedral, especially one who is a member of the chapter.
-
(also canon regular or regular canon)
(fem. canoness)
a member of certain orders of Roman Catholic clergy that live communally like monks or nuns.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. canonie, from L. canonicus (see canonic).