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Reference.org
Canon (basic principle)
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<p>The term canon derives from the Greek κανών (<i>kanon</i>), meaning "rule", and thence via <a href="/facts/Latin_(language)/pM3Kge85">Latin</a> and <a href="/facts/Old_French/QcRpPdAc">Old French</a> into English. The concept in English usage is very broad: in a general sense it refers to being one (adjectival) or a group (noun) of official, authentic or approved rules or laws, <a href="/facts/Canon_(canon_law)/96jMP9cA">particularly ecclesiastical</a>; or group of official, authentic, or approved literary or artistic works, such as the literature of a particular author, of a particular genre, or a particular group of religious scriptural texts; or similarly, one or a body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic and universally binding in a religion, or a field of study or art. </p>