Canon

Part of Speech

noun

Pronunciation

/ˈkænən/

Definitions

1. (noun) A law or body of laws established by a church or religious authority.

2. (noun) A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine by a particular religious group.

3. (noun) A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.

4. (noun) In music, a contrapuntal composition technique where a melody is repeated at fixed intervals by different voices or instruments.

5. (noun) A body of work or a set of texts, especially literary or artistic, that is considered authoritative or exemplary.

Usage Examples

• The canon of the Catholic Church includes the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
• In classical music, the piece follows a strict canon, with each instrument repeating the main melody.
• Her novel was eventually recognized as part of the literary canon, revered for its exploration of human nature.

Etymology

From Old French "canon," from Late Latin "canon," meaning "rule" or "standard," derived from Greek "kanon," meaning "rule" or "measuring rod." The word initially referred to a standard or a set of rules, particularly in a religious context, and later expanded to mean a body of accepted works or principles in various fields, including literature, music, and law.

Synonyms

• Law
• Code
• Principle
• Criterion
• Standard
• Regulation
• Doctrine

Antonyms

• Heresy
• Deviation
• Exemption
• Irregularity

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In certain regions, such as in the UK, the pronunciation of "canon" might stress the second syllable more heavily than in American English. In French, the nasal pronunciation is a distinctive feature, while in Greek, the pronunciation is typically more elongated.

Historical Usage

The word "canon" has been used historically to refer to a set of religious laws or principles that govern behavior, particularly within Christianity. In ancient times, it was used to denote a list of scriptures that were considered authoritative, particularly in the context of the Bible. Over time, its use expanded to other fields such as literature, music, and law.

Cultural Nuances

In the arts, particularly in literature and music, the concept of a "canon" refers to a collection of works that are regarded as exemplary or fundamental to understanding a genre. These canons serve as a standard or model to which new works are compared. The idea of a "cultural canon" is central to discussions of what is considered classic or culturally significant across various traditions.

More Information

The concept of a "canon" has shaped many aspects of culture, especially in religion and the arts. In religion, the "canon" is used to denote authoritative texts that are universally accepted within a particular belief system, such as the Bible in Christianity or the Qur'an in Islam. In literature, a "literary canon" refers to a collection of works that are held in high regard by critics, scholars, and institutions. Similarly, in music, the term "canon" is used to describe a compositional technique where a melody is repeated by different voices or instruments.