canvas

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
  2. noun an oil painting on canvas fabric
  3. noun the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account

Etymology

From Middle English canevas, from Anglo-Norman, from Old Northern French canevas (compare Old French chanevas, chenevas) from a root derived from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek κάνναβις (kánnabis). Compare French canevas, resulting from a blend of the Old French and a Picard dialect word, itself from Old Northern French. Doublet of cannabis and hemp.

In classic literature

Synonyms

canvass

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