canonize

[kan-uh-nahyz] /ˈkæn əˌnaɪz/
verb (used with object), canonized, canonizing.
1.
Ecclesiastical. to place in the canon of saints.
2.
to glorify.
3.
to make canonical; place or include within a canon, especially of scriptural works:
They canonized the Song of Solomon after much controversy.
4.
to consider or treat as sacrosanct or holy:
They canonized his many verbal foibles and made them gospel.
5.
to sanction or approve authoritatively, especially ecclesiastically.
6.
Archaic. to deify.
Also, especially British, canonise.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English. See canon1, -ize
Related forms
canonization, noun
canonizer, noun
supercanonization, noun
uncanonization, noun
uncanonize, verb (used with object), uncanonized, uncanonizing.
Examples from the web for canonize
  • Based on the opinions above, they should canonize him.
  • To hold him up as a saint would be to canonize political profligacy.
  • There is a temptation to rush to canonize your memory.
British Dictionary definitions for canonize

canonize

/ˈkænəˌnaɪz/
verb (transitive)
1.
(RC Church) to declare (a person) to be a saint and thus admit to the canon of saints
2.
to regard as holy or as a saint
3.
to sanction by canon law; pronounce valid
Derived Forms
canonization, canonisation, noun
Word Origin and History for canonize
v.

late 14c., "to place in the canon or calendar of saints," from Old French cannonisier and directly from Medieval Latin canonizare, from Late Latin canon "church rule" (see canon (n.1)). Related: Canonized; cannonizing.