Canon

canon
noun1a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy; "the neoclassical canon"; "canons of polite society"2a priest who is a member of a cathedral chapter3a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall[syn: canyon]4a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts5a complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church6a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired