canonical
[kuh-non-i-kuh l]
- 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.
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- canonicals, garments prescribed by canon law for clergy when officiating.
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Origin of canonical
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for canonical
Contemporary Examples
“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
It will be a canonical marriage, but it will take some little time to arrange.
The ChristianHall Caine
He is a professor of canonical law and slated for a German bishopric.
Secret Memoirs: The Story of Louise, Crown PrincessHenry W. Fischer
The first thing to be done was to translate the canonical books.
Chips From A German Workshop - Volume IFriedrich Max Mller
The ideal parson, that is, should be a squire in canonical dress.
The English Utilitarians, Volume I.Leslie Stephen
Is any light thrown by it on the authenticity of our canonical books?
Studies of ChristianityJames Martineau
canonical
canonic
- 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)
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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