Dictionary

canonize

verb can·on·ize \ˈka-nə-ˌnīz\

in the Roman Catholic Church : to officially give a dead person a special status as someone very holy : to declare (someone) to be a saint

can·on·ized \-ˌnīzd; in “Hamlet” usually kə-ˈnä-ˌnīzd\ can·on·iz·ing

Full Definition of CANONIZE

transitive verb

: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint

: to make canonical

: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority

: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to

: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred

— can·on·i·za·tion \ˌka-nə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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Middle English, from Medieval Latin canonizare, from Late Latin canon catalog of saints, from Latin, standard

First Known Use: 14th century

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