Definify.com
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 voteI 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 subscriptionsCan′vass
,Verb.
I.
To search thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district;
as, to
; – commonly followed by for. canvass
for subscriptions or for votes; to canvass
for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a charityCan′vass
,Noun.
1.
Close inspection; careful review for verification;
as, a
. canvass
of votesBacon.
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; debate3.
A seeking, solicitation, or efforts to obtain.