[ad. L. canonizātiōn-em, n. of action f. canonizāre to canonize: cf. F. canonisation.] The action of canonizing; esp. formal admission into the calendar of saints.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 433. To trowe siche canonyzaciouns is lesse þan bileeue.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 60. Canonizacion, canonizacio.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 344/2. This new saint of Tindales canonisacion.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1635. He sent hym to heauen by hys canonyzacyon, And from thens to helle by an excommunyacyon.
1648. Herrick, Hesper. (1844), II. 158. To be number’d one Here, in my book’s canonization.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., xviii. § 14. 362. The canonization of Saints which the Heathen called Apotheosis.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. IV. 370. Before there were any regular canonizations.
b. fig.
1854. Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, Quot. & Orig., Wks. (Bohn), III. 220. ’Tis curious what new interest an old author acquires by official canonization in Tiraboschi or Dr. Johnson.
1877. Mozley, Univ. Serm., IV. 87. The canonisation of men—the popular judgment which sets them up morally and spiritually upon the pinnacle of the temple.
