canon

Etymology 1

From Middle English canoun, from Old French canon and Old English canon, both from Latin canōn, from Ancient Greek κανών (kanṓn, “measuring rod, standard”), akin to κάννα (kánna, “reed”), from Semitic (compare Hebrew קָנֶה (qane, “reed”) and Arabic قَنَاة (qanāh, “reed”)). Doublet of qanun. See also cane, cannon, canyon, canal.

noun

1. A generally accepted principle; a rule.
   The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
   1. a formally codified set of criteria deemed mandatory for a particular artistic style of figurative art.
      the Canon of Polykleitos
      Despite the many advances made by modern scholars towards a clearer comprehension of the theoretical basis of the Canon of Polykleitos, the results of these studies show an absence of any general agreement upon the practical application of that canon in works of art. 1975, Richard Tobin, “The Canon of Polykleitos”, in American Journal of Archaeology, volume 79, number 4, →DOI, →JSTOR, retrieved 2020-10-02, pages 307–321
2. A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.
   the durable canon of American short fiction 2015, William Styron, “Irwin Shaw”, in My Generation: Collected Nonfiction, page 456
3. The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.
   the entire Shakespearean canon
4. A eucharistic prayer, particularly the Roman Canon.
5. A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.
   We must proceed according to canon law.
6. A catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
7. In monasteries, a book containing the rules of a religious order.
8. A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times; a round.
   Pachelbel’s Canon has become very popular.
9. (Roman law) A rent or stipend payable at some regular time, generally annual, e.g., canon frumentarius
   The lessees of public lands had to pay a perpetual rent or "canon" at some periodical time. January 1919, Charles P. Sherman, “A Brief History of Imperial Roman Canon Law”, in California Law Review, volume 7, number 2, Berkeley, California: University of California, pages 96–97
10. (fandom slang, uncountable) Those sources, especially including literary works, which are considered part of the main continuity regarding a given fictional universe.
    A spin-off book series revealed the aliens to be originally from Earth, but it's not canon.
    Meanwhile, having learned the whereabouts of the Death Star's plans, the rebels send their best platypus agent to obtain them, in hopes of finding a weakness. And none of this is canon, so just relax. 2014, Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars
11. (cooking) A rolled and filleted loin of meat; also called a cannon.
    a canon of beef or lamb
12. (printing">printing, dated, uncountable) A large size of type formerly used for printing">printing the church canons, standardized as 48-point.
13. The part of a bell by which it is suspended; the ear or shank of a bell.

Etymology 2

adj

1. (fandom slang) Clipping of canonical.
   The franchise's book spinoff is usually not considered canon.

Etymology 3

From Middle English canoun, ultimately from Latin canonicus (either by shortening or back-formation from Old English canonic, or via Old Northern French canoine).

noun

1. A clergy member serving a cathedral or collegiate church.
2. A canon regular, a member of any of several Roman Catholic religious orders.

Etymology 4

noun

1. Alternative spelling of qanun

Etymology 5

noun

1. (obsolete, now a misspelling) Alternative spelling of cannon (“weapon”)
2. Alternative spelling of cannon (“a carom in billiards”)