canonize
UK[ˈkænənaɪz]US[ˈkænənaɪz]
v
to officially declare someone a saint in the christian church.
v
to treat or regard someone or something as being above criticism or as being of great importance.
Morpheme Breakdown
canon
ize
canon
measuring rod, standard
ize
Etymology
the word 'canonize' originates from the ecclesiastical latin 'canonizāre', meaning 'to place in the canon or list'. this derives from the latin 'canon', itself borrowed from greek 'kanōn', signifying a 'straight rod, rule, or standard'. in early christian usage, a 'canon' referred to the authoritative list of sacred books or the rules governing the faith. the verb-forming suffix '-ize' was appended to indicate the action of placing someone on the official list (canon) of saints, thereby declaring them a standard of holiness. over time, the meaning broadened beyond the strictly religious context to signify treating any person or principle as an unquestionable standard or model.
Analysis
Structure: canon + ize
canon (from latin 'canon', meaning 'rule, standard, list', via greek 'kanōn', meaning 'measuring rod, standard') + ize (verb-forming suffix from greek '-izein', via latin '-izāre', indicating 'to make, to become, to treat according to').
Examples
the vatican decided to canonize the nun for her lifelong charitable works.
some fans tend to canonize the early works of the author, dismissing his later novels.
the process to canonize a saint involves a rigorous investigation of the candidate's life and miracles.