canonical hour

noun

1. Ecclesiastical. any of certain periods of the day set apart for prayer and devotion: these are matins and lauds, prime, tierce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline.

canonical hour

noun

1. RC Church
   1. one of the seven prayer times appointed for each day by canon law
   2. the services prescribed for these times, namely matins, prime, terce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline
2. Church of England any time between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at which marriages may lawfully be celebrated

Word History and Origins

Origin of canonical hour¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Leech draws the baronet awakened by his servant, but too late: the canonical hour has passed.

From Project Gutenberg

The Abbey court sat in the chapter-house at the canonical hour of tierce, which was nine in the forenoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Here it means the canonical hour for prayer so called, to announce which bells were rung.

From Project Gutenberg

Deuce of any ghost shall we see to-night; it's long past the canonical hour.

From Project Gutenberg

You may think it impossible for me to reach London by the canonical hour.

From Project Gutenberg