canopy
[kan-uh-pee]
- a covering, usually of fabric, supported on poles or suspended above a bed, throne, exalted personage, or sacred object.
- an overhanging projection or covering, as a long canvas awning stretching from the doorway of a building to a curb.
- an ornamental, rooflike projection or covering.
- Also called crown canopy, crown cover. the cover formed by the leafy upper branches of the trees in a forest.
- the sky.
- the part of a parachute that opens up and fills with air, usually made of nylon or silk.
- the transparent cover over the cockpit of an airplane.
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- to cover with or as with a canopy: Branches canopied the road.
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Origin of canopy
1350–1400; Middle English canope < Medieval Latin canōpēum, variant of Latin cōnōpēum mosquito net < Greek kōnōpeîon bed with net to keep gnats off, equivalent to kṓnōp(s) gnat + -eion, neuter of -eios adj. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for canopy
Contemporary Examples
But the leaves and branches – the canopy it effectively creates -- is made up of solar panels.
Smoke rises above the canopy as gentle chanting rumbles across the jungle floor.
After a while, it will seem natural to erect a canopy to shield the worshipers from the elements.
The two SUWU shorties opened fire on what they mistook for rival shorties in a park, huddled under a canopy during a rainstorm.
Historical Examples
At night, our couch will be on a platform surmounted by a canopy like a throne.
The DreamEmile Zola
The pole and the canopy of the hammock tangled inextricably its occupant.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
The hangings were of crimson velvet, and the canopy of the richest purple.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
The canopy is held up by prelates, and the chairmen are in knee-breeches and red velvet.
The Eternal CityHall Caine
The sun was shooting over the cliffs a canopy as of smoke above their heads.
The ManxmanHall Caine
canopy
- an ornamental awning above a throne or bed or held over a person of importance on ceremonial occasions
- a rooflike covering over an altar, niche, etc
- a roofed structure serving as a sheltered passageway or area
- a large or wide covering, esp one high abovethe sky was a grey canopy
- the nylon or silk hemisphere that forms the supporting surface of a parachute
- the transparent cover of an aircraft cockpit
- the highest level of branches and foliage in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees
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- (tr) to cover with or as if with a canopy
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Word Origin
C14: from Medieval Latin canōpeum mosquito net, from Latin cōnōpeum gauze net, from Greek kōnōpeion bed with protective net, from kōnōps mosquito
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for canopy
n.
late 14c., from Old French conope "bed-curtain" (Modern French canapé), from Medieval Latin canopeum, dissimilated from Latin conopeum, from Greek konopeion "Egyptian couch with mosquito curtains," from konops "mosquito, gnat," of unknown origin. The same word (canape) in French, Spanish, and Portuguese now means "sofa, couch." Italian canape is a French loan word.
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v.
c.1600, from canopy (n.). Related: Canopied; canopying.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper