canon

1
[ kan-uh n ]
/ ˈkæn ən /

noun

Origin of canon

1
before 900; Middle English, Old English < Latin < Greek kanṓn measuring rod, rule, akin to kánna cane

synonym study for canon

3–5. See principle.

OTHER WORDS FROM canon

can·on·like, adjective

Definition for canon (2 of 3)

canon 2
[ kan-uh n ]
/ ˈkæn ən /

noun

one of a body of dignitaries or prebendaries attached to a cathedral or a collegiate church; a member of the chapter of a cathedral or a collegiate church.
Roman Catholic Church. one of the members (canons regular) of certain religious orders.

Origin of canon

2
1150–1200; Middle English; back formation from Old English canōnic (one) under rule < Medieval Latin canōnicus, Latin: of or under rule < Greek kanōnikós. See canon1, -ic

Definition for canon (3 of 3)

canyon

or ca·ñon

[ kan-yuhn ]
/ ˈkæn yən /

noun

a deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream flowing through it.

Origin of canyon

1835–45, Americanism; < American Spanish, Spanish cañón a long tube, a hollow, equivalent to cañ(a) tube (< Latin canna cane) + -on augmentative suffix

Example sentences from the Web for canon

British Dictionary definitions for canon (1 of 4)

canon 1
/ (ˈkænən) /

noun

Word Origin for canon

Old English, from Latin, from Greek kanōn rule, rod for measuring, standard; related to kanna reed, cane 1

British Dictionary definitions for canon (2 of 4)

canon 2
/ (ˈkænən) /

noun

one of several priests on the permanent staff of a cathedral, who are responsible for organizing services, maintaining the fabric, etc
Also called: canon regular RC Church a member of either of two religious orders, the Augustinian or Premonstratensian Canons, living communally as monks but performing clerical duties

Word Origin for canon

C13: from Anglo-French canunie, from Late Latin canonicus one living under a rule, from canon 1

British Dictionary definitions for canon (3 of 4)

cañon
/ (ˈkænjən) /

noun

a variant spelling of canyon

British Dictionary definitions for canon (4 of 4)

canyon

caon

/ (ˈkænjən) /

noun

a gorge or ravine, esp in North America, usually formed by the down-cutting of a river in a dry area where there is insufficient rainfall to erode the sides of the valley

Word Origin for canyon

C19: from Spanish cañón, from caña tube, from Latin canna cane

Scientific definitions for canon

canyon
[ kănyən ]

A long, deep, narrow valley with steep cliff walls, cut into the Earth by running water and often having a stream at the bottom.