canonical

views updated May 29 2018

ca·non·i·cal / kəˈnänikəl/ • adj. 1. according to or ordered by canon law.2. included in the list of sacred books officially accepted as genuine: the canonical Gospels of the New Testament. ∎  accepted as being accurate and authoritative. ∎  (of an artist or work) belonging to the literary or artistic canon. ∎  according to recognized rules or scientific laws: canonical nucleotide sequences. ∎  Math. of or relating to a general rule or standard formula.3. of or relating to a cathedral chapter or a member of it.• pl. n. (canonicals) the prescribed official dress of the clergy: Cardinal Bea in full canonicals.DERIVATIVES: ca·non·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.