TARPAULIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tarpaulin mean? 

• TARPAULIN (noun)
  The noun TARPAULIN has 1 sense:

1. waterproofed canvas

  Familiarity information: TARPAULIN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TARPAULIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Waterproofed canvas

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

tarp; tarpaulin

Hypernyms ("tarpaulin" is a kind of...):

canvas; canvass (a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents))

 Context examples 

We needed the sail for the boat, and the tarpaulin had begun to leak.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Matt was rolling the master's blankets and fur robe inside a small tarpaulin.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

What does this here blessed tarpaulin go and do, said Mr. Peggotty, with his face one high noon of enjoyment, but he loses that there art of his to our little Em'ly.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

We had entirely forgotten the long nine; and there, to our horror, were the five rogues busy about her, getting off her jacket, as they called the stout tarpaulin cover under which she sailed.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

When I had the boat empty again I was forced to take away the tarpaulin which covered Maud, in order that I might lash it down across the bow.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“All of a sudden, one evening—as it might be tonight—comes little Em'ly from her work, and him with her! There ain't so much in that, you'll say. No, because he takes care on her, like a brother, arter dark, and indeed afore dark, and at all times. But this tarpaulin chap, he takes hold of her hand, and he cries out to me, joyful, “Look here! This is to be my little wife!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I covered her with oilskins and a tarpaulin.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)