canvass

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• Homophone: canvas

Noun

canvass (plural canvasses)

1. a solicitation of voters or opinions
2. a public opinion survey

Verb

canvass (third-person singular simple present canvasses, present participle canvassing, simple past and past participle canvassed)

1. To solicit voters or opinions.
2. To conduct a survey.
3. To campaign.

Quotations

• 2001', Joyce Carol Oates, Middle Age: A Romance, page 5

  Adam Berendt, who canvassed through Rockland County on behalf of education, environmental, and gun control bond issues.