Canvass

Pronunciation

• Homophones: canvas

Origin

From canvas, originally meaning "to toss in a canvas sheet". First attested 1508

Full definition of canvass

Noun

1. A solicitation of voters or public opinion.

Verb

1. To solicit voters, opinions, etc. from; to go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses.to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions
2. To conduct a survey.
3. To campaign.
4. To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize.to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its probable vote
• WoodwardI have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence.
5. To examine by discussion; to debate.
• Sir W. Hamiltonan opinion that we are likely soon to canvass