canonicate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, historical, ecclesiastical/religious
Quick answer
What does “canonicate” mean?
the office, rank, or status of a canon (a member of a cathedral chapter or other clergy body).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the office, rank, or status of a canon (a member of a cathedral chapter or other clergy body).
The position, tenure, or dignity associated with being a canon, often involving specific rights, duties, and a stall in a cathedral or collegiate church. It can also refer to the collective body of canons.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare in both dialects, confined to Anglican/Catholic contexts in the UK and Episcopal/Roman Catholic contexts in the US.
Connotations
Formal, institutional, historical. In the UK, it may be more frequently encountered in historical or legal texts related to the Church of England.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to appear in UK texts due to the established nature of cathedral chapters in English history.
Grammar
How to Use “canonicate” in a Sentence
The canonicate of [Cathedral/Chapter]to be appointed to a canonicatethe duties of his canonicateVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or legal studies discussing church structures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in ecclesiastical law and church administration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “canonicate”
- Misspelling as 'canonificate'. Using it as a verb (to canonicate is incorrect; the verb is 'canonize', which has a completely different meaning).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, specialised term used almost exclusively in ecclesiastical or historical contexts.
No. The related verb is 'canonize', which means to declare someone a saint. 'Canonicate' is strictly a noun.
They are largely synonymous, both referring to the office of a canon. 'Canonry' is slightly more common, but 'canonicate' is perfectly correct.
Not necessarily. There are 'residentiary' canons who live there and 'honorary' or 'non-residentiary' canons who hold the title without the residential obligation.
the office, rank, or status of a canon (a member of a cathedral chapter or other clergy body).
Canonicate is usually formal, historical, ecclesiastical/religious in register.
Canonicate: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈnɒn.ɪ.kət/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈnɑː.nɪ.kət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'CANON' (church official) gets a special 'ATE' (state or office). So, a canonicate is the state of being a canon.
Conceptual Metaphor
OFFICE IS A SEAT (e.g., 'He was given a canonicate and a stall in the choir').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'canonicate'?