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Where does the word "canon" come from? It comes from Greek kanōn, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
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Where does the word "canon" come from? It comes from Greek kanōn, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
Canon’s story begins in Greek: kanōn meant “measuring rod, rule.” Greek, possibly from 'kanna', reed. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as canon. Church law and the approved list of scripture. It reached English by 1100s as canon. Literary 'canon' and 'canon' in fiction came later. Today, canon means a general rule; an accepted body of works.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient kanōn "measuring rod, rule", Greek, possibly from 'kanna', reed.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval canon "church rule", church law and the approved list of scripture.
- Stage 3 · English · 1100s canon "church rule", literary 'canon' and 'canon' in fiction came later.