[can.vas] also can.vass n [ME canevas, fr. ONF, fr. (assumed) VL cannabaceus hempen, fr. L cannabis hemp--more at cannabis] (13c) 1: a firm closely woven cloth usu. 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 an 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 adj
[2]canvas vt -vased or -vassed ; -vas.ing or -vass.ing (1556): to cover, line, or furnish with canvas