canon
This term carries a strong sense of authority and legitimacy, whether applied to religious texts, artistic masterpieces, or the internal logic of a fictional world. It suggests a boundary between what is officially recognized as authentic and what is considered peripheral or apocryphal. In musical contexts, it describes a strict structural imitation where a melody is echoed. When referring to clergy, it denotes a specific rank within a cathedral's administration, distinguishing the role from general priesthood.
Meanings
A general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged.
"The canon of good taste dictates that one should not brag about wealth."
A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine and authoritative by a particular church.
"The New Testament is part of the biblical canon."
The body of works, such as books, paintings, or compositions, considered to be the most important or influential of a particular period or artist.
"Shakespeare's plays form the core of the English literary canon."
The official set of stories, characters, and events that are accepted as part of the legitimate history of a fictional universe.
"The movie was criticized for contradicting the established canon of the series."