canonical [kuh -non -i-kuh l]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for canonical on Thesaurus.com adjective Also ca·non·ic. pertaining to, established by, or conforming to a canon or canons . included in the canon of the Bible. authorized; recognized; accepted: canonical works. Mathematics (of an equation, coordinate, etc.) in simplest or standard form. following the pattern of a musical canon . Linguistics (of a form or pattern) characteristic, general or basic: the canonical form of the past tense; a canonical syllable pattern. Show More
canonicals, garments prescribed by canon law for clergy when officiating. Show More
Origin of canonical 1150–1200; Middle English (<
Anglo-French ) <
Medieval Latin canōnicālis, equivalent to
canōnic(us ) (see
canon2 ) +
-ālis -al1 Related forms ca·non·i·cal·ly , adverb su·per·ca·non·i·cal , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for canonical approved ,
authoritative ,
authorized ,
lawful ,
legal ,
official ,
orthodox ,
received ,
sanctioned ,
sound ,
statutory Examples from the Web for canonical Contemporary Examples of canonical “This is not a judgment of guilt, nor is it a suspension of any other canonical penalty,” Canary wrote.
We can see evidence of its presence even in the communities of the authors who produced our canonical Gospels.
This Macbeth—electrifying, rich, and strange—exists as an irresistible complement to canonical stagings.
I piped up my objection, but it was the canonical term and there was no chance I would succeed in changing it.
So if I fail to mention some novel you regard as canonical here, just leave a comment.
Historical Examples of canonical It will be a canonical marriage, but it will take some little time to arrange.
He is a professor of canonical law and slated for a German bishopric.
The first thing to be done was to translate the canonical books.
The ideal parson, that is, should be a squire in canonical dress.
Is any light thrown by it on the authenticity of our canonical books?
British Dictionary definitions for canonical belonging to or included in a canon of sacred or other officially recognized writings belonging to or in conformity with canon law according to recognized law; accepted music in the form of a canon of or relating to a cathedral chapter of or relating to a canon (clergyman) Show More
Derived Forms canonically , adverb Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for canonical adj. early 15c., from Medieval Latin canonicalis , from Late Latin canonicus "according to rule," in Church Latin, "pertaining to the canon" (see canon (n.2)). Earlier was canonial (early 13c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
