canon
can·on1 / ˈkanən/ • n. 1. a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged: the canons of fair play and equal opportunity. ∎ a church decree or law: a set of ecclesiastical canons.2. a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine: the formation of the biblical canon. ∎ the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine: the Shakespeare canon. ∎ a list of literary or artistic works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality: Hopkins was established in the canon of English poetry.3. (also canon of the Mass) (in the Roman Catholic Church) the part of the Mass containing the words of consecration.4. Mus. a piece in which the same melody is begun in different parts successively, so that the imitations overlap.PHRASES: in canon Mus. with different parts successively beginning the same melody.can·on2 • n. a member of the clergy who is on the staff of a cathedral, esp. one who is a member of the chapter. ∎ (also canon regular or regular canon) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a member of certain orders of clergy that live communally according to an ecclesiastical rule in the same way as monks.