minor canon

American  

noun

1. a canon attached to a cathedral or collegiate church, though not necessarily a member of the chapter.

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minor canon British  

noun

1. Church of England a clergyman who is attached to a cathedral to assist at daily services but who is not a member of the chapter

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Etymology

Origin of minor canon

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minor canon

We read in the chapter records of a minor canon being appointed to read the prayers at 6 o'clock, and once at least the hour is named as 5 o'clock, in the morning.

From The Cathedral Church of Peterborough A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See by Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)

The minor canon, on being appealed to, signified his acquiescence, and after some slight preparation, Lilly produced two hazel rods, and the party set out.

From Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire by Ainsworth, William Harrison

Then had come a short engagement, followed by five years of placid, happy marriage with a minor canon of Witanbury Cathedral.

From Good Old Anna by Lowndes, Marie Belloc

The two well-built young men, one a minor canon, the other a curate, lounging in their flannels, clever-faced, honest-eyed, could have been bred nowhere but in English public schools and at Oxford or Cambridge.

From The Rough Road by Locke, William John

Young Brown was educated at St John's College, Cambridge; and after graduating at the head of the list of wranglers in 1735, he took holy orders, and was appointed minor canon and lecturer at Carlisle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various