GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Found one definition
-
canon , n. [OE. canon, canoun, AS. canon rule (cf. F. canon, LL. canon, and, for sense 7, F. chanoine, LL. canonicus), fr. L. canon a measuring line, rule, model, fr. Gr. κανών rule, rod, fr. κάνη, κάννη, reed. See Cane, and cf. Canonical.]
- A law or rule.1913 Webster
Or that the Everlasting had not fixed
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter.Shak.1913 Webster - (Eccl.) A law, or rule of doctrine or discipline, enacted by a council and confirmed by the pope or the sovereign; a decision, regulation, code, or constitution made by ecclesiastical authority.1913 Webster
Various canons which were made in councils held in the second centry.
Hook.1913 Webster - The collection of books received as genuine Holy Scriptures, called the sacred canon, or general rule of moral and religious duty, given by inspiration; the Bible; also, any one of the canonical Scriptures. See Canonical books, under Canonical, a.1913 Webster
- In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.1913 Webster
- A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.1913 Webster
- A member of a cathedral chapter; a person who possesses a prebend in a cathedral or collegiate church.1913 Webster
- (Mus.) A musical composition in which the voices begin one after another, at regular intervals, successively taking up the same subject. It either winds up with a coda (tailpiece), or, as each voice finishes, commences anew, thus forming a perpetual fugue or round. It is the strictest form of imitation. See Imitation.1913 Webster
- (Print.) The largest size of type having a specific name; -- so called from having been used for printing the canons of the church.1913 Webster
- The part of a bell by which it is suspended; -- called also ear and shank. [See Illust. of Bell.]Knight.1913 Webster
- (Billiards) See Carom.1913 Webster
Apostolical canons. See under Apostolical. -- Augustinian canons, Black canons. See under Augustinian. -- Canon capitular, Canon residentiary, a resident member of a cathedral chapter (during a part or the whole of the year). -- Canon law. See under Law. -- Canon of the Mass (R. C. Ch.), that part of the mass, following the Sanctus, which never changes. -- Honorary canon, a canon{6} who neither lived in a monastery, nor kept the canonical hours. -- Minor canon (Ch. of Eng.), one who has been admitted to a chapter, but has not yet received a prebend. -- Regular canon (R. C. Ch.), one who lived in a conventual community and followed the rule of St. Austin; a Black canon. -- Secular canon (R. C. Ch.), one who did not live in a monastery, but kept the hours.
1913 Webster
- A law or rule.