canvas

[ kan-vuhs ]

noun

1. a closely woven, heavy cloth of cotton, hemp, or linen, used for tents, sails, etc.
2. a piece of this or similar material on which a painting is made.
3. a painting on canvas.
4. a tent, or tents collectively.
5. sailcloth.
6. sails collectively.
7. any fabric of linen, cotton, or hemp of a coarse loose weave used as a foundation for embroidery stitches, interlining, etc.
8. the floor of a boxing ring traditionally consisting of a canvas covering stretched over a mat.

Trademark, Digital Technology.

1. Canvas, the brand name for an open-source learning management system, launched in 2011.

canvas

/ ˈkænvəs /

noun

1. 1. a heavy durable cloth made of cotton, hemp, or jute, used for sails, tents, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a canvas bag

2. 1. a piece of canvas or a similar material on which a painting is done, usually in oils
   2. a painting on this material, esp in oils
3. a tent or tents collectively
4. nautical any cloth of which sails are made
5. nautical the sails of a vessel collectively
6. any coarse loosely woven cloth on which embroidery, tapestry, etc, is done
7. the canvas
   the floor of a boxing or wrestling ring
8. rowing the tapering covered part at either end of a racing boat, sometimes referred to as a unit of length

   to win by a canvas

9. under canvas
   1. in tents
   2. nautical with sails unfurled

Other Words From

• canvas·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvas¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English canevas, from Anglo-French, Old North French, from unattested Vulgar Latin cannabāceus (noun use of adjective), equivalent to Latin cannab(is) + -āceus; hemp, -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvas¹

C14: from Norman French canevas, ultimately from Latin cannabis hemp

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. under canvas,
   1. Nautical. with set sails.
   2. in tents; in the field:

      the troops under canvas.

Example Sentences

Despite being knighted in 1911, Roger had a pivotal role in founding the Irish Volunteers, and publicly canvased for donations as part of the groups bid to end British rule in Ireland.

From BBC

Standing next to a blank canvas on a set that evokes of an artist’s studio, Artemisia talks to us about the art of composition before taking us back in time to her youth.

From New York Times

An awkward encounter between a care worker and Simon Harris while canvassing in County Cork last weekend was viewed millions of times across social media platforms during the last week of the campaign.

From BBC

Fourteen of the largest and clearest rock paintings were reproduced on canvas and granite slates, to be displayed in the country’s national gallery.

From Science Magazine

But he also helped Washington adapt the Wilson source material onto a more cinematic canvas and “create a new dimension, suddenly open the depth of field.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• art
• artwork
• picture
• piece
• portrait
• watercolor