Canopy
/ˈkæ.nə.pi/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA high cover providing shelter, such as a cloth supported above an object, particularly over a bed.
nounAny overhanging or projecting roof structure, typically over entrances or doors.
Sentence Examples
This tree has a large canopy.
You'll only see them in the uppermost canopy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The thick ____ of the rainforest blocked most of the sunlight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The thick leaves of the trees created a green ____ above the path.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English canapy, canepie, canapee, canape, canope, from Old French conopé, Medieval Latin canapeum, canopeum, from Latin cōnōpēum (“mosquito net, canopy”), from Ancient Greek κωνωπεῖον (kōnōpeîon, “mosquito net”), from Ancient Greek κώνωψ (kṓnōps, “mosquito”), of uncertain origin. More at Ancient Greek κώνωψ (kṓnōps). Doublet of canapé and conopeum.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"golden canopies and beds of state"
— 1847, John Dryden, The Works of John Dryden in Verse and Prose, volume 1, Harper, The Beginning of the Second Book of Lucretius:
"Platforms would be widened and covered by canopies with heated waiting areas for passengers."
— 2019 October, “Consultation on University Station designs”, in Modern Railways, page 17:
"Away before me to sweet beds of flowers:
Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers."
— c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"I sat me down to watch upon a bank
With ivy canopied, and interwove
With flaunting honeysuckle […]"
— 1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC, lines 543-5:
"I began also to observe, with greater accuracy, the forms that surrounded me, and to perceive the boundaries of the radiant roof of light which canopied me."
— 1816 June – 1817 April/May (date written), [Mary Shelley], chapter 11, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, published 1 January 1818, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The thick ____ of the rainforest blocked most of the sunlight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The thick leaves of the trees created a green ____ above the path.