Canons

Taken in ecclesiastical sense for “decree of the Church,” or “church law,” Old English, from Late Latin canon, in classical Latin, “measuring line, rule,” from Greek kanon “any straight rod or bar; rule; standard of excellence,” perhaps from kanna “reed” (cane). General sense of “standard of judging” is from c.1600 (source: www.etymonline.com).

Latin canon is derived from Greek kanòn, which develops from kanna, stiff and straight rod of cane used to straighten. As the wand was also used to verify that other things were straight, kanòn designated the level, the rule used by craftsmen.

The term was also used in a figurative sense, as a model, a norm: the instrument in relation to which one could determine the straightness/righteousness of immaterial entities.

Etymosophy result: regulatory principle.