canvass

[ kan-vuhs ]
/ ˈkæn vəs /

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.

noun

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

Origin of canvass

1500–10; orig. spelling variant of canvas, as a v.; sense “discuss” apparently development of the earlier senses “toss in a canvas sheet,” “harshly criticize”; sense “solicit votes” obscurely derived

OTHER WORDS FROM canvass

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH canvass

canvas canvass

Example sentences from the Web for canvasser

British Dictionary definitions for canvasser

canvass
/ (ˈkænvəs) /

verb

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

noun

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

Derived forms of canvass

canvasser, noun canvassing, noun

Word Origin for canvass

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