canon
UK[ˈkænən]US[ˈkænən]
n
A general rule, principle, or standard by which something is judged.
n
A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
n
A piece of music in which a melody is imitated by one or more parts at a fixed interval.
Etymology
The word 'canon' originates from the Greek 'kanōn', meaning a measuring rod, rule, or standard. This term was borrowed into Latin as 'canon', retaining its sense of a rule or model, particularly in ecclesiastical contexts to denote authoritative decrees or the definitive list of scriptural books. The semantic journey from a physical measuring stick to an abstract standard of judgment or an authoritative collection perfectly illustrates the conceptual metaphor of applying a tangible tool of measurement to intangible realms of law, faith, and art. The musical sense of 'canon' developed in the 16th century, extending the idea of a fixed rule to the strict, imitative structure of the composition.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Greek via Latin and Old English. Its spelling and form are not productively composed of smaller, separable English morphemes.
Examples
The film is considered a classic within the canon of American cinema.
The council met to define the canon of the New Testament.
Pachelbel's Canon in D is a famous example of baroque music.