Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Conforming to orthodox or recognized rules: "canonic" describes something that follows established, authoritative principles or standards, often in a religious, artistic, or academic context.
   • Of or relating to or required by canon law: "canonic" pertains specifically to the body of laws and regulations established by a church.
   • Appearing in a biblical canon: "canonic" refers to texts that are officially accepted as part of the authoritative scriptures of a religion.
   • Reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality: In mathematics, logic, or art, "canonic" describes a standard, fundamental, or most representative form.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The composer's canonic works are studied by all music students. (These works are considered the standard, authoritative examples.)
  • The decision was made based on canonic law. (The decision was made according to church law.)
  • The Gospel of Matthew is a canonic text. (It is an officially accepted book of the Christian New Testament.)
  • The theory was presented in its canonic form. (It was presented in its simplest, most fundamental version.)

Advanced Usage

• "Canonic hours": In Christian liturgy, the traditional times of daily prayer.
  • The monks gather for prayer at the canonic hours.
• "Canonic sequence": In music, a strict form of imitation where a melody is repeated by one or more voices after a set time interval.
  • The fugue features a complex canonic sequence.

Variants and Related Words

• Canonical (adj): This is the more common variant and is synonymous with "canonic" in all its definitions.
  • The canonical version of the story is widely accepted.
• Canon (n): The root word meaning a collection of authoritative rules, texts, or works; a general law or principle.
  • This novel is part of the Western literary canon.
• Canonize (v): To officially declare someone a saint; to place in a canon of authoritative works.
  • The church voted to canonize the nun.

Synonyms

• Orthodox: Conforming to traditional or established doctrines.
• Authoritative: Accepted as accurate or true; commanding.
• Standard: Used or accepted as normal or average.
• Fundamental: Forming a necessary base or core.

Antonyms

• Unorthodox: Contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted.
• Atypical: Not representative of a type, group, or class.
• Apocryphal: Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true (often used for biblical texts not accepted into the canon).

Adjective

1. conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
   • the drinking of cocktails was as canonical a rite as the mixing- Sinclair Lewis
2. reduced to the simplest and most significant form possible without loss of generality
   • a basic story line
   • a canonical syllable pattern
3. of or relating to or required by canon law
4. appearing in a biblical canon
   • a canonical book of the Christian New Testament