[can.on.ize] vt can.on.ized ; can.on.iz.ing [ME, fr. ML canonizare, fr. LL canon catalog of saints, fr. L, standard] (14c) 1: to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint
2: to make canonical
3: to sanction by ecclesiastical authority
4: to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to
5: to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred -- can.on.i.za.tion n