Lexic.us

Definition of Canvass

1. Noun. The setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account. "The movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound"

2. Verb. Get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions.

3. Noun. An inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people.

4. Verb. Solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign.

5. Noun. A large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel.

6. Verb. Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning. "Sam and Sue canvass the movie "; "Analyze your real motives"

7. Noun. A tent made of canvas fabric.

8. Noun. An oil painting on canvas fabric.

9. Noun. The mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete. "The boxer picked himself up off the canvas"

10. Noun. A heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents).

Definition of Canvass

1. v. t. 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.

2. v. i. 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.

3. n. Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.

Definition of Canvass

1. Noun. a solicitation of voters or public opinion ¹

2. Verb. To solicit voters or opinions. ¹

3. Verb. To conduct a survey. ¹

4. Verb. To campaign. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Canvass

1. to examine thoroughly [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Canvass

canuns canvas canvas tent canvasback canvasback duck canvasbacks canvasboard canvasboards canvased canvaser

canvasers canvases canvasing canvasless canvaslike cany canyon canyon live oak canyon oak canyon treefrog

canyoneer canyoneering

Literary usage of Canvass

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Appletons' Annual Cyclopædia and Register of Important Events of the Year (1886)
"To the fourth objection, that this board should not canvass or count the votes ... The canvass of returns was then begun, in spite of protests against the ..."

2. A Treatise on the Constitutional Limitations which Rest Upon the Legislative by Thomas McIntyre Cooley, Victor Hugo Lane (1903)
"The canvass and the Return. If the election is purely a local one, the inspectors who have had charge of it will be expected to proceed immediately on the ..."

3. Democracy and the Organization of Political Parties by Moisei Ostrogorski (1902)
"And it is only by the canvass that they can be got at; by it alone can the ... From this point of view the canvass is more important than the platform and ..."

4. Political Recollections, 1840 to 1872 by George Washington Julian (1883)
"Pro-slavery reaction—Indiana and Ohio—Race for Congress— Free Soil gains in other States—National Convention at Cleveland—National canvass of ..."

5. A Treatise on the Law of Public Offices and Officers by Floyd Russell Mechem (1890)
"The canvass and Returns. § 207. canvassing the Vote.—Upon the close of the election the inspectors of election are usually required to immediately make a ..."

6. History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 by James Ford Rhodes (1906)
""The progress of the canvass developed," he wrote in 1901, "not only into violence of words and manner, but into breaches of the peace, interference with ..."

7. History of the Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America by Henry Wilson (1875)
"Eminent Republicans engaged in the canvass. — Remarkable speeches of Mr. Seward. ... canvass closed by Lincoln's election. — Votes. — Lincoln in a minority. ..."

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