adjective Also ca·non·ic.
- pertaining to, established by, or conforming to a canon or canons.
- included in the canon of the Bible.
- authorized; recognized; accepted: canonical works.
- Mathematics. (of an equation, coordinate, etc.) in simplest or standard form.
- following the pattern of a musical canon.
- Linguistics. (of a form or pattern) characteristic, general or basic: the canonical form of the past tense; a canonical syllable pattern.
noun
- canonicals, garments prescribed by canon law for clergy when officiating.
adjective
- belonging to or included in a canon of sacred or other officially recognized writings
- belonging to or in conformity with canon law
- according to recognized law; accepted
- music in the form of a canon
- of or relating to a cathedral chapter
- of or relating to a canon (clergyman)
early 15c., from Medieval Latin canonicalis, from Late Latin canonicus “according to rule,” in Church Latin, “pertaining to the canon” (see canon (n.2)). Earlier was canonial (early 13c.).