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canvas definition

can·vas (kan′vəs)

noun

  1. a closely woven, coarse cloth of hemp, cotton, or linen, often unbleached, used for tents, sails, etc.
  2. a sail or set of sails
    1. a specially prepared piece of canvas on which an oil painting is made
    2. such a painting
  4. a tent or tents, esp. circus tents
  5. any coarse cloth of open mesh weave on which embroidery or tapestry is done

Etymology: ME & OFr canevas < It canavaccio < VL *cannapaceum, hempen cloth < L cannabis, hemp

canvas Idioms

the canvas

the canvas-covered floor of a boxing ring

under canvas

  1. in tents
  2. with sails unfurled
  3. by means of sails

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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