A coarse cloth made of hemp, or flax, used for tents, sails of ships, painting and other purposes.

A clear unbleached cloth, wove regularly in little squares, used for working tapestry with the needle.

Among the French, the rough draught or model on which an air or piece of music is composed, and given to a poet to finish. The canvas of a song contains certain notes of the composer, to show the poet the measure of the verses he is to make.

Among seamen, cloth in sails, or sails in general; as, to spread as much canvas as the ship will bear.