canvas

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkanvəs/

noun

[mass noun] (plural canvases or canvasses)
  • a strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting: the painting is oil on canvas [as modifier]: a canvas bag
  • [count noun] a piece of canvas prepared for use as the surface for an oil painting: they found a canvas and he seated his model he is used to painting large canvases
  • [count noun] an oil painting: Turner’s late canvases
  • a variety of canvas with an open weave, used as a basis for tapestry and embroidery: she sent her needle stabbing in and out of the canvas
  • (the canvas) the canvas-covered floor of a boxing or wrestling ring: a thunderous uppercut sent him crashing to the canvas
  • [count noun] either of a racing boat’s tapering ends, originally covered with canvas.

verb (canvases, canvassing, canvassed; US canvases, canvasing, canvased)

[with object]
  • cover with canvas: the door had been canvassed over

Phrases

by a canvas

(in boat racing) by a very small margin.

under canvas

  • 1in a tent or tents: the family will be living under canvas
  • 2with sails spread: fishermen whose boats still travel under canvas

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old Northern French canevas, based on Latin cannabis 'hemp', from Greek

Do not confuse canvas with canvass. Canvas means 'a type of strong cloth' ( a canvas bag), whereas canvass means 'visit someone to seek their vote' ( party workers canvassed 2,000 voters).