Canvas has had a long history of practical and artistic use. It was originally made from hemp, known for its strength and durability. Over time, the material was adapted to suit different applications, from sailors' sails to modern-day artists' canvases. Today, canvas is typically made from cotton or linen, but its use in art continues to dominate, providing a reliable and sturdy surface for painting. The term "canvas" is now synonymous with artistic creation, and its metaphorical significance has permeated various forms of art and expression.
Word 'canvas' in Other Languages
- canvas in Assamese অসমীয়া
- canvas in Bengali বাংলা
- canvas in Bodo बड़ो
- canvas in Dogri डोगरी
- canvas in English
- canvas in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- canvas in Hindi हिन्दी
- canvas in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- canvas in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- canvas in Konkani कोंकणी
- canvas in Maithili মৈথিলী
- canvas in Malayalam മലയാളം
- canvas in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- canvas in Marathi मराठी
- canvas in Nepali नेपाली
- canvas in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- canvas in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- canvas in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- canvas in Santali
- canvas in Sindhi سنڌي
- canvas in Tamil தமிழ்
- canvas in Telugu తెలుగు
- canvas in Urdu اُردُو
Canvas
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
IPA: /ˈkænvəs/
Phonetic: KAN-vuhs
Definitions
- noun: A strong, heavy fabric, usually made of cotton or linen, used for making tents, sails, or painting surfaces.
- noun: A surface, such as a piece of cloth or other material, used by artists to paint or create art.
- verb: To cover or treat with a layer of canvas, especially for art or other protective uses.
Usage Examples
- The artist stretched the canvas onto the wooden frame before beginning the painting.
- He bought a new canvas tent for his camping trip.
- She canvassed the walls of the room with fabric to create a unique look.
Etymology
The word "canvas" comes from the Old French "canevas" or from Latin "cannabis," meaning "hemp," referring to the original material used for the fabric, which was made from hemp fibers.
Synonyms
- Fabric
- Cloth
- Canvas cloth
- Tarpaulin
Antonyms
- Paper
- Plastic
- Glass
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Lona | LOH-nah |
| French | Toile | twahl |
| German | Leinwand | LYNE-vahnd |
| Italian | Tela | TEH-lah |
| Russian | Холст | khawlst |
| Chinese | 画布 | huà bù |
| Arabic | قماش | qamāsh |
| Hindi | कैनवस | kaīnavas |
| Bengali | ক্যানভাস | kyān-bhās |
| Punjabi | ਕੈਨਵਸ | kaīnavas |
| Marathi | कॅनव्हस | kaīnvhas |
| Telugu | క్యాన్వాస్ | kyān-vās |
| Tamil | க்யான்வாஸ் | kyān-vās |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "canvas" remains largely consistent, but in some regions, particularly in British English, it may be pronounced more softly as /ˈkæn.vəs/ ("KAN-vəs"). In American English, it tends to be more emphatic with a clearer separation of syllables: /ˈkæn.vəs/ ("KAN-vuhs").
Historical Usage
The use of canvas dates back to ancient times, originally made from hemp or linen. The fabric was used by sailors for sails and tents due to its durability. Over time, its use expanded to the artistic world, where it became the standard material for painting surfaces.
Cultural Nuances
Canvas is often associated with art and creativity. The idea of a blank canvas is a powerful metaphor for new beginnings and endless possibilities. In various cultures, canvas is revered not just as a practical material but as a symbol of artistic expression and personal transformation.