Plural form of canon; a collection of rules, principles, or recognized works that are accepted as authoritative or standard.
Latin plural of 'canon,' from Greek 'kanon' (rule/measuring rod). The ecclesiastical and literary senses evolved as the Church and scholars established authoritative lists of texts and doctrines.
The literal meaning—'measuring rod'—reveals why we use 'canon' for standards: both a measuring rod and a 'canon of literature' set the benchmark against which everything else is measured.
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