canopy

Everyday

1. In a forest the canopy is the top layer of leaves and branches that covers the forest like a roof. tree →
2. A canopy is a cloth or roof held up over something, like a bed, a stall or a doorway. tree →
3. A canopy is the clear cover over a plane's cockpit or the cloth of a parachute. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons the rainforest has layers: emergent layer, canopy, understorey and forest floor; most animals live in the canopy. In everyday life a canopy keeps sun and rain off a market stall or a pram.

Examples

• Monkeys live high up in the rainforest canopy. tree →
• The canopy blocks most sunlight from the forest floor. tree →
• We sat under a canopy at the outdoor café. tree →
• The princess slept in a bed with a canopy. tree →
• The pilot opened the cockpit canopy. tree →
• The thick canopy kept us dry in the rain. tree →
• Over it hung a canopy of rose-colored spider's webs, spotted with the prettiest little green flies, which sparkled like precious stones. tree →

Note

Plural: canopies (y → ies). Stress on the first part: CAN-o-py. The canopy layer is below the emergent layer and above the understorey.

In Jewish tradition

In Isaiah the canopy is a covering of God's presence, like a shelter spread over the people.

Interpretation. Tradition links this canopy to the cloud and fire in the wilderness. It reads it as God's promise to shelter Zion in the days to come, as a wedding canopy shelters bride and groom.

Examples

• And the LORD will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a canopy. (Prophets ISA.4.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: canopies (y → ies). Stress on the first part: CAN-o-py. The canopy layer is below the emergent layer and above the understorey.