Bible Dictionaries
Canon

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

(Greek: kanon, rule)

• A practical law or rule of guidance; a standard, or criterion; a catalog or list of such rules.
  
  

• In art, an established rule.
  
  

• In biblical usage, the official catalog of inspired writings known as the Old and New Testament See also: Canon of the Holy Scriptures.
  
  

• In ecclesiastical usage, a short dogmatic definition, with an anathema attached, made by a general council; a rule of the Church. See also Canon Law; Canon Law, New Code of.
  
  

• The fundamental part of the Mass, coming after the Offertory. See also Canon of the Mass.
  
  

• The rules of religious orders and the books comprising these rules.
  
  

• The catalog of canonized saints.
  
  

• Certain ecclesiastical persons. See Canons, Chapters of; Canon Penitentiary; Canons and Canonesses Regular; Canons Regular of Saint Augustine; Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception; Canons Regular of the Lateran.
  
  

• In music, a composition consisting of the imitation or repetition of the same melody by one or more voices in turn, in such a manner as to produce harmony.
  
  

• In printing, a size of type almost equal to four-line picar 48-point type; it is said to be so called because it was used for printing the Canon of the Mass and church books.