Canonize
Verb
Definition: To officially declare a person as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Synonyms: Saint, Venerate, Deify
Antonyms: Condemn, Disapprove
- The Pope canonized the nun for her selfless work with the poor.
- The Church decided to canonize the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their faith.
- 'Canon' refers to the official collection of religious texts, so canonizing someone means to declare them as officially recognized by the religious authorities.
Etymology:
From Latin "canonizare," meaning "to make a canon" or "to place in the canon."
Historical Usage:The word "canonize" originated in the late Middle English period and has primarily been used in a religious context to refer to the official process of declaring someone a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Related Idioms:
"Canonize someone's achievements"
Explanation:To give great praise and recognition to someone's accomplishments or contributions.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "canonize" with "canon" (as in a weapon or a rule/standard).
Explanation:While "canonize" and "canon" have similar spellings, they have distinct meanings. "Canonize" refers to the act of declaring someone a saint, while "canon" has various meanings, including a type of weapon or a rule/collection of religious texts.