canvas definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

can·vas [ kánvəss ]

noun (plural can·vas·es)

Definition:

1. textiles heavy fabric: a strong heavy cotton, hemp, or jute fabric. Use: sails, tents, furnishings.

2. graphic arts fabric for painting on: a piece of canvas on which a painting is done, especially in oils

3. graphic arts painting: a painting that has been done on a canvas

4. background: the background against which events happen

5. handicraft cloth for needlework: a fabric with a coarse loose weave. Use: embroidery, tapestry.

6. sailing sail: a vessel's sail or sails

7. tent: a tent or group of tents

8. boxing wrestling floor of boxing or wrestling ring: the floor of a boxing or wrestling ring when covered with canvas

transitive verb (past and past participle can·vased, present participle can·vas·ing, 3rd person present singular can·vas·es)

Definition:

put canvas on something: to cover or line something with canvas

[14th century. Via Old French canevas< Latin cannabis "hemp" (from which the cloth was made)]

under canvas living in a tent

Spelling Note


	canvas or canvass? Do not confuse the spelling of canvas and canvass, which sound similar. The word canvas is chiefly used as a noun, denoting a heavy fabric, a piece of canvas used for painting, or something made from canvas such as a tent or sail, as in spend the night under canvas. The word canvass is chiefly used as a verb, meaning "solicit orders, opinions, or votes," "debate," or "inspect."