tarpaulin
[tahr-paw-lin, tahr-puh-lin]
- a protective covering of canvas or other material waterproofed with tar, paint, or wax.
- a hat, especially a sailor's, made of or covered with such material.
- Rare. a sailor.
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Origin of tarpaulin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tarpaulin
Contemporary Examples
On Tuesday, the group witnessed a convoy of 43 unmarked green military trucks with tarpaulin covers moving towards Donetsk.
When we were kids and some rain would come up, the fans would jump out of the stands to help spread the tarpaulin on the field.
Alina Vergana, 41, was sitting beneath a tarpaulin stretched to keep off the burning sun.
Historical Examples
The loads, covered by the tarpaulin, had been arranged in the centre of the circle.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
At camp Kingozi ordered them to place the loads in place beneath the tarpaulin.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
I crawl in between the chairs and the wall and get under that piece of tarpaulin.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
I could not control my anxiety as the steward got nearer and nearer the tarpaulin.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
Is he a tarpaulin theologian—a divine among the tarry-breeks?'
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
tarpaulin
- a heavy hard-wearing waterproof fabric made of canvas or similar material coated with tar, wax, or paint, for outdoor use as a protective covering against moisture
- a sheet of this fabric
- a hat of or covered with this fabric, esp a sailor's hat
- a rare word for seaman
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Word Origin
C17: probably from tar 1 + pall 1 + -ing 1
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 tarpaulin
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper