Dictionary

1canvas

noun can·vas \ˈkan-vəs\

: a strong, rough cloth that is used to make bags, tents, sails, etc.

: a specially prepared piece of cloth on which a picture can be painted by an artist

: a painting made on a piece of cloth

Full Definition of CANVAS

1
:  a firm closely woven cloth usually of linen, hemp, or cotton used for clothing and formerly much used for tents and sails
2
:  a set of sails :  sail
3
:  a piece of canvas used for a particular purpose
4
:  tent; also :  a group of tents
5
a :  a piece of cloth backed or framed as a surface for a painting; also :  the painting on such a surface
b :  the background, setting, or scope of a historical or fictional account or narrative
6
:  a coarse cloth so woven as to form regular meshes for working with the needle
7
:  the canvas-covered floor of a boxing or wrestling ring
can·vas·like \-vəs-ˌlīk\ adjective

Variants of CANVAS

can·vas also can·vass \ˈkan-vəs\
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Origin of CANVAS

Middle English canevas, from Anglo-French canevas, chanevaz, from Vulgar Latin *cannabaceus hempen, from Latin cannabis hemp — more at cannabis
First Known Use: 13th century

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

2canvas

verb
canvased or canvassedcanvas·ing or canvass·ing

Definition of CANVAS

transitive verb
:  to cover, line, or furnish with canvas

First Known Use of CANVAS

1556
CANVAS Defined for Kids

canvas

noun can·vas \ˈkan-vəs\

Definition of CANVAS for Kids

1
:  a strong cloth of hemp, flax, or cotton <canvas bags>
2
:  a specially prepared piece of cloth used as a surface for painting

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