ˈkænvəs n. & v. --n. 1 a a
strong coarse kind of
cloth made from hemp or
flax or
other coarse
yarn and used
for sails and tents etc. and as a
surface for oil-painting. b a
piece of
this. 2 a
painting on canvas,
esp. in oils. 3 an
open kind of canvas used as a
basis for
tapestry and
embroidery. 4 sl.
the floor of a
boxing or wrestling ring. 5 a racing-boat's covered
end. --v.tr. (canvassed, canvassing; US canvased, canvasing)
cover with canvas. øby a canvas (in boat-racing) by a
small margin (win by a canvas). canvas-back a
wild duck Aythya valisineria, of N. America, with
back feathers the
colour of
unbleached canvas.
under canvas 1 in a tent or tents. 2 with sails
spread. [ME & ONF canevas, ult. f. L
cannabis hemp]