n. A strong cloth made of hemp, flax, or cotton; -- used for tents, sails, etc.n. n. A coarse cloth so woven as to form regular meshes for working with the needle, as in tapestry, or worsted work.n. A piece of strong cloth of which the surface has been prepared to receive painting, commonly painting in oil.n. Something for which canvas is used: (a) A sail, or a collection of sails. (b) A tent, or a collection of tents. (c) A painting, or a picture on canvas.n. A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; esp. one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.adj. Made of, pertaining to, or resembling, canvas or coarse cloth.