canonical

[ kuh-non-i-kuh l ]

/ kəˈnɒn ɪ kəl /

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.

noun

canonicals, garments prescribed by canon law for clergy when officiating.

Nearby words

Origin of canonical

1150–1200; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin canōnicālis, equivalent to canōnic(us) (see canon²) + -ālis -al¹

Related formsca·non·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·ca·non·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for canonicals

The reverend Duche appeared in his canonicals attended by his clerk.
The Wonderful Story of Washington|Charles M. Stevens
The same story is told of Swift and four clergymen dressed in canonicals.
Library Notes|A. P. Russell
Then with a courteous shake of the hand, stately as though he were a bishop in canonicals, Arnold Jackson took leave of his guest.
The Trembling of a Leaf|William Somerset Maugham
"No, I think not," replied Mr. Priddon, who was already in his canonicals.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

The Church has nothing left but temples and shrines and canonicals and vestments and words.
My Religion|Leo Tolstoy

British Dictionary definitions for canonicals (1 of 2)

canonicals

/ (kəˈnɒnɪkəlz) /

pl n

the vestments worn by clergy when officiating

British Dictionary definitions for canonicals (2 of 2)

canonical

canonic

/ (kəˈnɒnɪkəl) /

adjective

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)

Derived Formscanonically, adverb

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 canonicals

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.).