minor canon

noun

1. a canon attached to a cathedral or collegiate church, though not necessarily a member of the chapter.

minor canon

noun

1. Church of England a clergyman who is attached to a cathedral to assist at daily services but who is not a member of the chapter

Word History and Origins

Origin of minor canon¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

In a preface to “The Griffin and the Minor Canon,” Sendak describes his basic aim as an illustrator: “I wanted at all costs to avoid the serious pitfall of illustrating with pictures what the author had already . . . illustrated with words. I hoped, rather, to let the story speak for itself, with my pictures as a kind of background music—music in the right style and always in tune with the words.”

From The New Yorker

In the first marriage to take place at Westminster Abbey's high altar since the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Minor Canon, the Reverend Dr James Hawkey and his fiancée, Carol Ripley, tie the knot in September 2012.

From BBC

It was the minor canon's signal.

From Project Gutenberg

"No, no; I don't think that," said the minor canon.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Arkell was going into the town, and he walked with Mr. Prattleton as far as the large cathedral gates; for the minor canon went round to the front way that afternoon, as it lay in the road for Mr. Arkell.

From Project Gutenberg