Both Uses of
canon
in
Moby Dick
- when though, according to Genesis, the angels indeed consorted with the daughters of men, the devils also, add the uncanonical Rabbins, indulged in mundane amours.†
Chpt 49-51 *uncanonical = not officially selectedstandard prefix: The prefix "un-" in uncanonical means not and reverses the meaning of canonical. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
- The mincer now stands before you invested in the full canonicals of his calling.†
Chpt 94-96
Definitions:
-
(1)
(canon as in: a canonical requirement) an established rule, principle, or standard -- especially in religion, philosophy, or traditionHistorically, a canon was a church law.
Do not confuse "canon" with "cannon" (a large gun). -
(2)
(canon as in: the Shakespearean canon) a recognized or official list of important works, people, or texts -- especially those seen as foundationalDo not confuse "canon" with "cannon" (a large gun).
-
(3)
(canon as in: played a canon) a type of music where a melody is repeated exactly by another voice or instrument after a short delay, creating layered harmonyDo not confuse canon with cannon (a large gun).
-
(4)
(canon as in: He is a canon of Toledo) a clergy member of the Catholic Church -- specifically a one attached to a cathedral or a collegiate churchDo not confuse canon with cannon (a large gun).
-
(5)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, canon references a name, a brand name, or an unchanging part of a religious service in which bread and wine are consecrated for communion.
Canonization refers to the act of adding someone to the canon (list) of recognized saints of a Christian religious body.