Word: canvass Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The verb is derived from canvas (“type of coarse cloth woven from hemp”). The connection between “to toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet; (by extension) to batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something); etc.” and “to seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll” is not entirely clear. The noun is derived from the verb. It has been suggested that noun sense 4.2 (“rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.)”) may refer to the canvas bag used by journeymen mechanics which they used to pack up their tools after they had completed their jobs, in which case it is not derived from the verb but directly from canvas (noun). Pronunciation: /ˈkænvəs/, [ˈkɛənvəs], /ˈkɛnvəs/ 1. To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize. Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: And with the aunſwere here vpon eftſoones in hand they go, / The doubtfull wordes wherof they ſcan and canuas to and fro. Example: Vpon feſtiuall dayes he goes to Court, & ſalutes without reſaluting: at night in an Ordinary he canuaſſeth the buſineſſe in hand, and ſeems as conuerſant with all intents and plots as if he begot them. 2. To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result). Labels: Philippines, broadly, figuratively, transitive Example: The poll was cloſed when the Court thought they had the majority: But upon caſting it up it appeared they had loſt it: So they fell to canvaſs it: And they made ſuch exceptions to thoſe of the other ſide, that they diſcounted as many voices as gave them the majority. Example: Teams of two people - called “canvassing teams” - review ballots and the envelopes with the ballots inside. […] You can observe the canvassing teams review and open mail-in ballot envelopes and open provisional ballot applications. 3. To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place) Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: The police are canvassing the neighbourhood for information about the missing child. Example: He who ſcorned to ſave his life by bending the will of the ſon, was not likely to canvaſs the favour of the father, by proſtituting his pen to the humour of the court. 4. To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses. Labels: figuratively, specifically, transitive Example: The electoral candidate canvassed the district for votes. Example: He said, that in the next parliament it was probable that he should canvass the county, and he hoped to get Pendennis’s interest here. 5. To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: Thou that giu'ſt VVhores Indulgences to ſinne, / Ile canuas thee in thy broad Cardinalls Hat, / If thou proceed in this thy inſolence. 6. To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something). Labels: broadly, obsolete, transitive Example: But nowe the Meſſenger that was thus ſent to the Lorde Hume [Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home], comming to him declared in what caſe hys houſe and people ſtoode, who beeing (as was ſuppoſed) not ſo farre off, but that he might heare howe luſtily the Engliſhe Canons did canuas and batter his Humiſhe Caſtell Walles, did nowe agree to meete the Marshall maiſter Drurie [William Drury] two myles diſtant from the ſayde Caſtell, and there to common further with him in that matter. 7. To assail or attack (someone or something). Labels: broadly, obsolete, transitive 8. To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.). Labels: broadly, obsolete, transitive Example: So voluntarily, so freely, so coolly to canvass it! 9. To debate, to discuss. Labels: intransitive Example: I pulled down to Mr. Turnbull's, and told him my good and bad fortune. It being late, he ordered me some dinner in his study, and we sat there canvassing over the affair. 10. To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc.; to conduct a survey. Labels: intransitive Example: [T]o saile surely in the deepe sea of divine Philosophie, wee ought to take wary heede to flie, more then Scylla and Charibdis, the Conversation of men, as they did not only getting themselves out of the prease of people, but setting light by, and refusing the government of common weales, and those chief honours and offices which ambitious men goe all day long with great labour and are canuassing and crauing for Example: Queene Elizabeth, being to reſolue vpon a great Officer, and being by ſome, that canuaſſed for others, put in ſome doubt of that perſon, vvhõ ſhe meant to aduance, […] 11. To seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll; to campaign. Labels: intransitive, specifically Example: [H]e endeavoured by his Agents to be choſe a Burgeſs for the Univerſity of Oxon, to ſerve in that Parliament vvhich began at VVeſtm[inster] 25 Apr. 1660, as at one or tvvo places beſides, vvhere he had canvas'd for votes; […] Example: Indeed, I know nothing ſo abject as the behaviour of a man canvaſſing for a ſeat in parliament— […]