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.
Phrases and idioms:
by 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.
Etymology: ME & ONF canevas, ult. f. L cannabis hemp