in architecture and sculpture, a magnificent kind of decoration, serving to cover and crown an altar, throne, tribunal, pulpit, chair, or the like. The word is formed from the barbarous Latin canopeum, of κανοπεῖον, a net spread over a bed to keep off the gnats, from κανοπεῖον, a gnat.

Canopies are also borne over the head in processions of state, after the manner of umbrellas. The canopy of an altar is more peculiarly called Ciborium.

The Roman grandees had their canopies, or spread veils, called thesæ, over their chairs: the like were also in temples over the statues of the gods. The modern cardinals still retain the use of canopies.