canvass Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account
    canvas.
    • the crowded canvas of history
    • the movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
  2. noun an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
    public opinion poll; poll; opinion poll.
  3. noun a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
    canvas; sail; sheet.
  4. noun a tent made of canvas fabric
    canvas; canvas tent.
  5. noun an oil painting on canvas fabric
    canvas.
  6. noun the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete
    canvas.
    • the boxer picked himself up off the canvas
  7. noun a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
    canvas.
  8. verb get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
    canvas; poll.
  9. verb solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
    canvas.
  10. verb consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
    canvas; study; analyse; examine; analyze.
    • analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
    • analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
    • analyze your real motives
  11. verb cover with canvas
    canvas.
    • She canvassed the walls of her living room so as to conceal the ugly cracks

WordNet

Can"vass transitive verb
Etymology
OF. Canabasser to examine curiously, to search or sift out; properly, to sift through canvas. See Canvas, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle canvassed ; present participle & verbal noun Canvassing
Definitions
  1. To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its probable vote.
    I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence. Woodward.
  2. To examine by discussion; to debate.
    An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass. Sir W. Hamilton.
  3. To go trough, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.
Can"vass intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To search thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district; as, to canvass for subscriptions or for votes; to canvass for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a charity; -- commonly followed by for.
Can"vass noun
Definitions
  1. Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes. Bacon.
  2. Examination in the way of discussion or debate.
  3. Search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, etc.
    No previous canvass was made for me. Burke.

Webster 1913