canon

Greek: kanon, rule

• A practical law or rule of guidance; a standard, or criterion; a catalog or list of such rules.
• In art, an established rule.
• In biblical usage, the official catalog of inspired writings known as the Old and New Testament See also: Canon of the Holy Scriptures.
• In ecclesiastical usage, a short dogmatic definition, with an anathema attached, made by a general council; a rule of the Church. See also Canon Law.
• The fundamental part of the Mass, coming after the Offertory. See also Canon of the Mass.
• The rules of religious orders and the books comprising these rules.
• The catalog of canonized saints.
• Certain ecclesiastical persons. See
  • Canons, Chapters of
  • Canon Penitentiary
  • Canons and Canonesses Regular
  • Canons Regular of Saint Augustine
  • Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception
  • Canons Regular of the Lateran
• In music, a composition consisting of the imitation or repetition of the same melody by one or more voices in turn, in such a manner as to produce harmony.
• In printing, a size of type almost equal to four-line picar 48-point type; it is said to be so called because it was used for printing the Canon of the Mass and church books.