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Webster 1913 Edition


Canvass

Can′vass

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
canvassed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Canvassing
.]
[OF.
Canabasser
to examine curiously, to search or sift out; properly, to sift through canvas. See
Canvas
,
Noun.
]
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 through, with personal solicitation or public addresses;
as, to
canvass
a district for votes; to
canvass
a city for subscriptions
.

Can′vass

,
Verb.
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.

Can′vass

,
Noun.
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 1828 Edition


Canvass

CANVASS

, v.t.
1.
To discuss; literally, to beat or shake out, to open by beating or shaking, like the L. Discutio. This is the common use of the word, as to canvass a subject, or the policy of a measure.
2.
To examine returns of votes; to search or scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes for senators.

CANVASS

, v.i.
1.
To seek or go about to solicit votes or interest; to use efforts to obtain; to make interest in favor of; followed by for; as, to canvass for an office, or preferment; to canvass for a friend.

CANVASS

,
Noun.
1.
Examination; close inspection to know the state of; as a canvass of votes.
2.
Discussion; debate
3.
A seeking, solicitation, or efforts to obtain.

Definition 2024


canvass

canvass

English

Noun

canvass (plural canvasses)

  1. A solicitation of voters or public opinion.

Translations

Verb

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

  1. To solicit voters, opinions, etc. from; to go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses.
    to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions
  2. To conduct a survey.
  3. To campaign.
  4. To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize.
    to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its probable vote
    • Woodward
      I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence.
  5. To examine by discussion; to debate.
    • Sir W. Hamilton
      an opinion that we are likely soon to canvass

Quotations

  • 1920, in the Classical Journal, volume 15, page 242:
    Some hunt "ponies" unrelentingly, others protest at intervals, most, perhaps, ignore the matter unless it is insolently forced upon their attention. How old this question was and how thoughtfully it had been canvassed we were not aware []
  • 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.

Translations