Definition

1. Noun:

   • A strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails, tents, and as a surface for oil painting. This is the primary material meaning.
   • A piece of canvas used for painting on. Refers to the prepared surface itself.
   • A painting executed on such a surface. Refers to the finished artwork.
   • The floor of a boxing or wrestling ring. Traditionally made of canvas material.

2. Verb:

   • To cover or furnish with canvas. This usage is less common.
   • To solicit votes, orders, or opinions from people. To seek support or gauge opinion.
   • To discuss or examine an idea, plan, etc., thoroughly. To scrutinize or debate.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Material):
  • The artist bought a roll of canvas to stretch for her new paintings.
  • The old sail was made of heavy-duty canvas.
• Noun (Artwork):
  • The museum displayed a famous canvas by Van Gogh.
• Noun (Sports Ring):
  • The boxer was knocked onto the canvas.
• Verb (To Solicit):
  • Volunteers will canvas the neighborhood for the upcoming election.
  • The company canvassed customer opinions before launching the product.
• Verb (To Examine):
  • The committee will canvas all possible solutions to the problem.

Advanced Usage

• "Under canvas": In a tent or tents; (of a ship) with sails set.
  • We spent the summer living under canvas.
  • The ship was under canvas and making good speed.
• "A blank canvas": Literally, a blank piece of canvas for painting; figuratively, a situation offering complete freedom for creativity or development.
  • The new apartment was like a blank canvas for the interior designer.

Variants and Related Words

• Canvass (verb): This is the standard spelling for the verb meanings related to soliciting votes or opinions and examining an issue. "Canvas" is sometimes used, but "canvass" is preferred for clarity in these contexts.
  • They organized a door-to-door canvass.
• Canvasser (noun): A person who canvasses.
• Canvasback (noun): A type of North American duck.

Synonyms

• Noun (Fabric): Sailcloth, duck, tarpaulin.
• Noun (Painting): Picture, artwork, oil.
• Verb (Solicit): Campaign, poll, survey, solicit.
• Verb (Examine): Analyze, scrutinize, discuss, debate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Canvas for: To seek support or votes for a particular person or cause.
  • She spent weeks canvassing for the local candidate.

Related Idioms

• On the canvas: (In boxing) Knocked down.
  • The champion was on the canvas for a full ten seconds.
• A canvas of sound/life/etc.: A broad or complete representation of something.
  • The novel paints a rich canvas of life in 19th-century London.

Noun

1. the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete
   • the boxer picked himself up off the canvas
2. a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
3. a tent made of canvas fabric
4. the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account
   • the crowded canvas of history
   • the movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
5. an oil painting on canvas fabric
6. a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

Verb

1. consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
   • analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
   • analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
   • analyze your real motives
2. cover with canvas
   • She canvassed the walls of her living room so as to conceal the ugly cracks
3. get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
4. solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign