canonicate

Definition

Noun: - The office or position of a canon: "canonicate" refers to the official status, rank, or benefice held by a canon, a member of a cathedral chapter or a religious body. This includes the rights, privileges, and income associated with that ecclesiastical role.

Usage Examples
  • (He was given the official position and income of a canon.)
  • (The benefice or office of a canon supported him financially and gave him standing.)
  • (She desired the rank or position of a canon.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to receive a canonicate": to be formally granted the office and benefice of a canon.
    • The bishop bestowed a canonicate upon the learned theologian. (The bishop officially gave the theologian the position and its associated rights.)
  • "to hold a canonicate": to currently occupy the position of a canon.
    • He held a canonicate at the medieval abbey for over thirty years. (He was a canon at that abbey for many decades.)
  • "canonicate" as a collective term: In some historical contexts, "canonicate" can also refer to the body of canons as a group (similar to "canonry").
    • The entire canonicate gathered for the annual synod. (All the canons assembled for the meeting.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Canonry (n): a synonym for "canonicate" — the office or benefice of a canon; also, a group of canons.
    • The canonry was vacant after the previous canon's death. (The position of canon was open.)
  • Canon (n): a member of a cathedral chapter or a religious order.
    • The canon led the evening prayers. (The clergyman with the office of canon.)
  • Canonical (adj): relating to a canon or to ecclesiastical rules.
    • The canonical hours are observed by the canons. (The official prayer times are followed.)
Synonyms
  • Benefice: a church office that provides income.
  • Prebend: a specific type of benefice held by a canon.
  • Chapter appointment: a position within a cathedral chapter.
Related Idioms
  • (No common idioms directly use "canonicate," but note its use in ecclesiastical contexts.)
  • "To rise to a canonicate": to achieve the rank of canon through merit or seniority.
    • Through his scholarship, he rose to a canonicate at the university church. (He advanced to the position of canon.)