The Greek word canon (κανών, kanṓn) was probably derived from κάννα (kánna: ‘bulrush reed or rod’), a Semitic loan word in the Greek language. The original meaning of ‘straight reed, stick, rod (in different uses)’ developed into several more specific and technical meanings. As a result, the Greek word canon designates a carpenter's or bricklayer's measuring stick or square, a chronological or astrological table, a monochord i…
Cite this page
Montanari, Franco (Pisa),
Vogt-Spira, Gregor (Greifswald),
Rese, Martin (Münster) and
Savvidis, Kyriakos (Bochum),
“Canon”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e608220>