canon
ka nuhn
- n a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy
the neoclassical canon
canons of polite society - n a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter
- n a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
- n a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
- n a complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
- n a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
- Press reports say that the Bishops' policy on sexually abusive priests is likely to change and will now conform to the church's canon laws.
- The inheritors of the canon of folk art have also been bequeathed a great responsibility.
- People opposed to canon argue that it is a set of rules that are invoked only when it suits the clergy.