The term "canvas" refers to a strong, durable fabric, typically made from cotton or linen, used primarily for making sails, tents, and as a surface for painting. In the context of art, a canvas is often a rectangular piece of fabric stretched over a frame, where artists apply paint to create their works. The word can also be used metaphorically to denote a background or a setting where events occur.
The word "canvas" comes from the Middle English term "canvass," which is derived from the Old French "canvase," and ultimately from the Latin "cannabis," meaning "hemp." Hemp was historically used to create the strong fabric we associate with canvas today.