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canon law

canon law

4 8.9
Rules made by a Christian church to govern its members
  • noun
  • /ˈkænən lɔ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : derecho canónico
  • If canon law prohibitions on marriage were eliminated, at what degree of relationship did Protestants forbid marriage?
  • canon law compiled by Gratian
  • Catholic canon law
  • theology and canon law

It's, it's quite sophisticated and as you might expect from a professor of Canon law trained by Jesuits.

Examples

  • His special interests include Eastern canon law and causes of saints.

    Academic text (2010)
  • At the practical level, we have seen major reviews of canon law, seminary and religious life, and so on.

    Academic text (2006)
  • You cannot marry according to Canon law, Canon law being religious law.

  • If there is a problem with our canon law, however, it is up to the bishops to reform the law.

    Academic text (2004)
  • At the same time, the canon law was being developed, the secular law was emerging along similar lines.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In addition to psychology and canon law, bishops also turned to civil attorneys for guidance.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The idea of consent was important for the development of both theology and canon law in terms of communal sin.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The majority were members of regular orders, mostly theologians, but they also included experts in canon law.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Without any uniform standards of canon law, bishops were able to rule their dioceses absolutely as they personally saw fit.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The church requires all its members to adhere to canon law regarding marriage and annulments.

Synonyms

ecclesiastical law
vscanon law
  • Formal
1 9.5

Laws and rules made by Christian churches to govern their organization and members

is specifically laws made by church authority for governing members

How Binding

canon law
  • Specialized
4 8.9
civil law
  • Specialized
8 4.1
regulation
  • Formal
730 3.4
custom
148 1.3
guideline
344 3.1

Surface Forms

canon law singular
canon laws plural

Morphology

canon + law

The meaning is compositionally derived: 'canon' (relating to church/official sacred rules) modifies 'law' (regulation), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer this refers to the body of church laws. The compound follows a common noun+noun English pattern and has direct parallels in many languages (e.g. derecho canónico), supporting immediate comprehensibility.

Etymology

Canon law comes from the old word canon, which meant a 'rule' or 'measuring stick' used by church leaders, and the word law meaning rules. So canon law became the name for the set of rules the church follows.