canon
/ˈkænən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkænən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈka-nən/ (ame, mw)
canon — noun
1. a Christian priest who works as part of the group of clergy that serve a cathedr
a Christian priest who works as part of the group of clergy that serve a cathedral and may have special duties during services.
Canon Thomas led the evening service at St. Paul's Cathedral.
title + name structure: Canon + [name]
The new canon was appointed to oversee the cathedral's music programme.
countable noun with appointed to + role
Several canons gathered in the chapter house to discuss the changes.
As a canon, Father Okafor had a seat in the cathedral choir stalls.
用法筆記
When used as a title before a name, 'Canon' is capitalized: Canon Wen. Do not confuse with the military rank 'colonel'.
2. a generally accepted standard or guideline that members of a profession, communi
a generally accepted standard or guideline that members of a profession, community, or field use to shape their decisions and actions.
The canons of journalism demand that reporters always check their sources.
canon of + [field] for professional standards
Leila's building design follows the classical canons of proportion and balance.
classical canons of + [quality]
The church council revised several canons during the synod last spring.
According to the canons of ethical research, participants must give informed consent.
- principle
broader and more common in everyday language; canon suggests formal or institutional authority
- standard
more general term for an expected level of quality; canon has a stronger sense of tradition
- rule
more concrete and enforceable; canon often refers to an accepted principle rather than a specific regulation
- code
a full system of rules; canon can be part of a code or the whole body of rules
用法筆記
Often used in plural form (canons) even when referring to a body of rules. In legal contexts, 'canon' may refer specifically to church law (canon law).
常見錯誤
3. the set of books, films, artworks, or other creative works that experts regard a
the set of books, films, artworks, or other creative works that experts regard as the genuine creations of a particular person or as the most important and worthy of study.
Shakespeare's established canon includes 37 plays and over 150 poems.
[author]'s canon includes + [works]
The literary canon taught in schools has been debated for decades.
the literary canon / the Western canon
Some experts argue that the film deserves a place in the American cinema canon.
The scholars worked to determine which poems belong in the author's canon.
Canon refers to the official set of sacred books that the Church accepted.
- oeuvre
refers to all works by one artist; canon adds the idea that some works are accepted as genuine or significant, while others may be excluded
- corpus
neutral term for a collection of works; canon implies selection and authority
- classics
emphasizes lasting quality and value; canon may include works that are important but not necessarily classic
- apocrypha
works of doubtful authenticity, excluded from the canon
用法筆記
When referring to the biblical canon, the word is often capitalized (the Canon). In literary and cultural contexts, 'the canon' frequently appears with modifiers such as 'literary canon,' 'Western canon,' or 'film canon.'
常見錯誤
4. a way of composing or singing where an initial tune is started by one voice or i
a way of composing or singing where an initial tune is started by one voice or instrument, then other performers join in one after another with the same tune while earlier parts keep going.
The choir performed a four-part canon by Johann Pachelbel.
[number]-part canon by + [composer]
The children sang a simple canon called 'Frère Jacques' in music class.
In a canon, each voice enters two bars after the previous one.
The composer wrote a strict canon for three violins and cello.
- round
a simple, playful type of canon with exact repetition; canon is the broader, more formal term
用法筆記
A 'round' (such as 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat') is a simple type of canon where each part sings the same melody. In more complex canons, the melody may be transformed (inverted, slowed, or reversed) in later entries.