noun
- experts in or students of canon law (church law)
Usage: legal; religious
Examples
- The canonists debated the interpretation of the new church regulations.
- Medieval canonists played important roles in developing legal principles.
- She consulted several canonists about the validity of the marriage ceremony.
- The university’s canonists were respected scholars of ecclesiastical law.
- Canon law requires canonists to have extensive theological training.
- The Vatican employs canonists to advise on complex legal matters.