canvas
canvas Lexical Profile
canvas Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A strong, heavily woven cloth made of cotton, hemp, or flax, primarily used for making sails, tents, awnings, and durable bags.
"The explorers patched their torn canvas before setting sail across the bay."
A piece of heavy cloth, typically stretched tightly over a wooden frame, used by an artist as a surface for a painting; by extension, the painting itself.
"The artist spent months working on a large canvas depicting a vibrant city landscape."
The heavily padded floor of a boxing or wrestling ring.
"The heavyweight champion was knocked to the canvas in the final round of the title match."
• verb
To cover, furnish, line, or protect an object or surface with canvas.
"The deck crew decided to canvas the lifeboats to protect them from the harsh winter weather."
Word Nuance & Usage
The noun 'canvas' (heavy cloth) is often confused with its homophone 'canvass' (to solicit votes or survey opinions). In formal English writing, the spelling with a single 's' is reserved for the fabric and its related uses, while the double 's' is used for the verb of solicitation.
• Rhymes for canvas
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'canevas', via Old Northern French, originating from Vulgar Latin 'cannabaceus' (made of hemp), derived from Latin 'cannabis' (hemp).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.