Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
canonical
This term describes a standard of authority or a recognized rule of law. In religious contexts, it refers specifically to the official laws of the church or the approved list of sacred scriptures. It carries a sense of legitimacy and official sanction, distinguishing what is "true" or "official" from what is apocryphal or unofficial. In modern fandom and literary analysis, the word has shifted to describe the "official" plot events of a fictional universe, separating them from fan-made theories or non-canonical spin-offs. In technical fields like mathematics and computing, it refers to a unique, standardized representation of data that eliminates ambiguity.
Meanings
Following a recognized rule, standard, or accepted set of principles.
"The author decided to follow the canonical structure for the epic poem."
Accepted as genuine or authoritative within a particular body of work or tradition.
"The original trilogy is considered the canonical version of the story."