canvas
/ˈkænvəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkænvəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkan-vəs/ (ame, mw)
canvas — noun
1. a heavy woven fabric, typically of cotton or hemp, from which tents, sails, outd
a heavy woven fabric, typically of cotton or hemp, from which tents, sails, outdoor bags, and durable garments are produced.
The old tent was made of heavy canvas that kept out the rain.
canvas + noun: tent / sail / bag
Sailors repaired the torn canvas sail before the next voyage.
canvas as modifier: canvas sail
Aiko packed her gear in a sturdy canvas bag for the hiking trip.
Canvas shoes are popular in summer because they let your feet breathe.
- cotton duck
a lighter-weight canvas fabric, used mainly for clothing
- tarpaulin
a waterproof sheet, often made of canvas but heavier and treated for weather protection
文法句型
canvas + noun (as modifier)
用法筆記
As a modifier, canvas describes objects made from the fabric, such as canvas tent, canvas bag, or canvas shoes. The uncountable form refers to the material itself.
常見錯誤
2. a piece of strong cloth stretched tight over a wooden frame, on which painters a
a piece of strong cloth stretched tight over a wooden frame, on which painters apply oil or acrylic paint; can also refer to the finished artwork.
The artist stretched a fresh canvas onto the wooden frame.
a canvas = a prepared painting surface
Priya bought a small canvas and began painting a portrait of her mother.
This museum owns several early canvases by the French Impressionists.
Oil paints dry slower on canvas than on paper, giving artists time to blend colours.
- painting
a broader term — any artwork, not necessarily on canvas
- oil painting
a painting done with oil paints, very often on canvas
- stretched canvas
a canvas that has already been stretched onto a frame, ready for painting
文法句型
a canvas
on canvas
painted on canvas
用法筆記
Countable form (a canvas, several canvases) refers to an individual piece of prepared cloth or the finished artwork. 'On canvas' is a fixed phrase meaning 'painted using oil or acrylic on canvas fabric'.
常見錯誤
3. the experience or condition of living or sleeping in a tent — most often found i
the experience or condition of living or sleeping in a tent — most often found in the fixed phrase 'under canvas', used to describe camping, especially as a leisure activity or as temporary accommodation.
The Rodriguez family spent the night under canvas in the Scottish Highlands.
under canvas = camping in a tent
The rain drummed loudly on the canvas above our heads.
the canvas = the tent roof or walls
The hiking club spent the whole summer under canvas in the Alps.
A sharp rock tore a hole in the canvas, letting in the cold night air.
- camping
the broader activity of which 'under canvas' is a specific form
- tent accommodation
a more formal way to describe sleeping in a tent
文法句型
under canvas
用法筆記
'Under canvas' is a fixed British expression meaning 'camping in a tent'. This sense is distinct from sense 1 because it refers to the tent as a shelter or living space, not to canvas as a raw fabric material. Outside the fixed phrase 'under canvas', this sense rarely appears in modern English.
4. the padded floor surface inside a competition arena for boxing or combat wrestli
the padded floor surface inside a competition arena for boxing or combat wrestling, traditionally covered with heavy fabric and where a downed opponent may land.
The champion sent his opponent to the canvas in the third round.
to the canvas = knocked down in boxing
The wrestler slammed his rival onto the canvas with a loud thud.
Tomás stayed on the canvas for a full eight-count before getting up.
A boxer who cannot leave the canvas before ten counts loses the match.
- ring floor
general term for the fighting area surface
文法句型
the canvas
hit the canvas
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively with the definite article ('the canvas') in fixed boxing phrases: 'hit the canvas', 'knock to the canvas', 'on the canvas'. The term comes from the canvas fabric traditionally covering the ring floor.
常見錯誤
5. the covered front section of a rowing boat, whose length serves as a measurement
the covered front section of a rowing boat, whose length serves as a measurement to describe how far one boat leads another during a race.
Cambridge won the boat race by half a canvas.
by a canvas = by a distance equal to the front section of the boat
The Oxford crew led by a canvas at the halfway mark of the race.
In rowing, a canvas is roughly the length of the covered deck at the bow.
With a few strokes left, the lead boat extended its advantage to a full canvas.
文法句型
win by a canvas
用法筆記
Highly specialised term used almost exclusively in competitive rowing commentary. 'A canvas' as a unit of measurement equals approximately 1.5 boat lengths but varies by race course and boat design. Most common in University Boat Race contexts.
canvas — verb
1. to lay canvas fabric over or around something, giving it a protective or finishe
to lay canvas fabric over or around something, giving it a protective or finished outer layer.
The boat was canvased to protect the deck during the winter months.
passive: be canvased = covered with canvas
Workers canvased the wooden scaffolding before the rainy season began.
The back of the truck was canvased to keep the cargo dry.
Hana canvased the artist's studio floor to catch paint drips.
文法句型
be canvased with [material]
canvas + object
用法筆記
This verb is quite rare in modern English. The past participle 'canvased' or 'canvassed' (both spellings occur) is the most common form. Do not confuse with the much more common verb 'canvass' (to ask for votes or opinions), which is a different word with a different spelling and meaning.