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canon (1)

can·on [ kánnən ] (plural can·ons)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. general rule: a general rule, principle, or standard
one of the fundamental canons of free-market economics

2. religion religious decree: a decree issued by a religious authority, especially one ruling on religious practices

3. religion body of religious writings: a set of religious writings regarded as authentic and definitive and forming a religion's body of scripture

4. christianity list of saints: in the Roman Catholic Church, the complete list of all the saints

5. christianity part of Mass: in the Roman Catholic Mass, the prayer during which the bread and wine are consecrated

6. arts set of artistic works: a set of artistic works established as genuine and complete, e.g. the works of a particular writer, painter, or moviemaker
one of the best-known pictures in the Welles canon

7. music staggered singing or playing: a musical technique in which different instruments or voices enter one after the other, each playing or singing exactly the same sequence of notes, resulting in often complex counterpoint

[Pre-12th century. Via Latin< Greek kanōn "rule"]

Spelling Note

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