canvass

[ kan-vuhs ]

verb (used with object)

1. to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.
2. to examine carefully; investigate by inquiry; discuss; debate.

   Synonyms: explore, scrutinize, analyze

verb (used without object)

1. to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.

noun

1. a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like.
2. a campaign for election to government office.
3. close inspection; scrutiny:

   the official canvass of election results.

canvass

/ ˈkænvəs /

verb

1. to solicit votes, orders, advertising, etc, from
2. to determine the feelings and opinions of (voters before an election, etc), esp by conducting a survey
3. to investigate (something) thoroughly, esp by discussion or debate
4. to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity

noun

1. a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc
2. close inspection; scrutiny

Derived Forms

• ˈcanvassing, noun
• ˈcanvasser, noun

Other Words From

• can·vass·er noun
• pre·can·vass verb (used with object) noun
• un·can·vassed adjective
• un·der·can·vass verb
• well-can·vassed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvass¹

First recorded in 1500–10; originally a spelling variant of canvas, as a verb; the sense “discuss” apparently a development of the earlier senses “toss in a canvas sheet,” and “harshly criticize”; the sense “solicit votes” is obscurely derived

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvass¹

C16: probably from obsolete sense of canvas (to toss someone in a canvas sheet, hence, to harass, criticize); the development of current senses is unexplained

Example Sentences

Since then, Arizona Senate President Karen Fann has suggested that it's worth revisiting the canvass idea.

From Washington Post

Rothko signed on to paint another in his series of “rooms,” massive canvasses sized to fit specific spaces, as he’d done for the Four Seasons restaurant in New York’s Seagram Building.

From The Daily Beast

One of the foremost artists in the Hudson River School of landscape painting, he was known for his highly detailed, epic canvasses favoring sunsets and waterfalls.

From Washington Post

Two ballots were excluded from the initial canvass because a machine wouldn’t let the voters cast them through curbside voting.

From Time

The canvass period ended with both gaining votes since two weeks ago, when the races were called and Democrats began planning for their new majority.

From Washington Post

There is no purpose in asking people to walk the neighborhood to canvass for someone who would support the status quo.

From The Daily Beast

Two blocks down Seventh Avenue, he came to Smiling Pizza, where he was scheduled to kick off a neighborhood campaign canvass.

From The Daily Beast

The night sky has always been an amazing canvass for the human imagination.

From The Daily Beast

The software allows users to make phone calls, register to vote, and canvass neighborhoods with a few simple instructions.

From The Daily Beast

Or, a better preventive is a canvass or leather cap to protect the neck entirely from the storm.

From Project Gutenberg

My sentiments are neither divine oracles nor theological opinions which it is not permitted to canvass.

From Project Gutenberg

In the canvass of 1896 Mr. McKinley announced that he would make no electioneering tour.

From Project Gutenberg

But Mr Ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvass.

From Project Gutenberg

Canvass of the local trucking industry brought to light the conveyor of that elegant article of furniture.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agitate
• consult
• inspect
• scrutinize
• solicit