canvass
Syllables: can·vass/ˈkænvəs//ˈkænvəs/
canvass verb: to thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize. Also the obsolete spelling of canvas.
Verb
canvass (third-person singular simple present canvasses, present participle canvassing, simple past and past participle canvassed)
- To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.
- And with the aunſwere here vpon eftſoones in hand they go, / The doubtfull wordes wherof they ſcan and canuas to and fro.1567, Ovid, “The First Booke”, in Arthur Golding, transl., The XV. Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso, Entytuled Metamorphosis, […], London: […] Willyam Seres […], →OCLC, folio 7, recto
- 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.1612 (date written), Thomas Ouerbury [i.e. Thomas Overbury] or John Webster, “Characters. Or, Witty Descriptions of the Properties of Sundry Persons. An Affectate Traueller.”, in Sir Thomas Ouerbury...
- To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result).
- 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.a. 1716 (date written), [Gilbert] Burnet, “Book III. Of the Rest of King Charles II’s Reign, from the Year 1673 to the Year 1685, in which He Died.”, in [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], editor, Bishop Burnet’s...
- 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.2024 August, State of Maryland, Maryland State Board of Elections, archived from the original on 06 Apr 2025, retrieved 18 Oct 2024
- To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place)
- The police are canvassing the neighbourhood for information about the missing child.
- 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.1768, Horace Walpole, “The Murder of His Brother Clarence”, in Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the Third, London: […] J[ames] Dodsley […], →OCLC, page 19
- To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses.
- The electoral candidate canvassed the district for votes.
- 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.1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, “A House Full of Visitors”, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume I, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849, →OCLC, page 251
- To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket.
- Thou that giu'ſt VVhores Indulgences to ſinne, / Ile canuas thee in thy broad Cardinalls Hat, / If thou proceed in this thy inſolence.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
- To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something).
- 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...1577, Raphaell Holinshed, “Queene Elizabeth”, in The Laste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume II, London: […] for Iohn Hunne, →OCLC, pages 1844–1845
- To assail or attack (someone or something).
- To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.).
- So voluntarily, so freely, so coolly to canvass it!1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XVI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume III, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 313
- To debate, to discuss.
- 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.1834, [Frederick Marryat], chapter III, in Jacob Faithful […], volume III, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC, page 49
- To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc.; to conduct a survey.
- [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...1581, Steven Guazzo [i.e., Stefano Guazzo], “Guazzo Anniball”, in George Pettie, transl., edited by Charles Whibley, The Civile Conversation of M. Steeven Guazzo […] (The Tudor Translations, Second...
- 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, […]1625, Francis [Bacon], “[Apophthegm 65]”, in Apophthegmes New and Old. […], London: […] Hanna Barret, and Richard Whittaker, […], →OCLC, pages 83–84
- To seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll; to campaign.
- [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; […]1691, [Anthony Wood], “WILLIAM LENTHALL”, in Athenæ Oxonienses. An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops who have had Their Education in the Most Ancient and Famous University of Oxford from...
- Indeed, I know nothing ſo abject as the behaviour of a man canvaſſing for a ſeat in parliament— […]1771, [Tobias Smollett], “To Dr. Lewis”, in The Expedition of Humphry Clinker […], volume I, London: […] W. Johnston, […]; and B. Collins, […], →OCLC, page 160
Noun
canvass (countable and uncountable, plural canvasses)
- A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.
- It is a wonder to ſee how ſlauiſhly theſe kinde of [ambitious] men will ſubiect themſelues, vvhen they are about a canvas, to euery inferiour perſon, vvhat paines they vvill take, runne, ride, caſt, plot & countermine, proteſt & ſvveare, vow, promiſe, vvhat labours vndergoe, earely vp, dovvne late...1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Concupiscible Appetite, as Desires, Ambitions, Causes”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield...
- I know well enough that the biſhoprics and cures, under kingly and ſeignoral patronage, as now they are in England, and as they have been lately in France, are ſometimes acquired by unworthy methods; but the other mode of eccleſiaſtical canvas ſubjects them infinitely more ſurely and more generally...1790 November, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, and on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event. […], London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page...
- A seeking or solicitation, or determination, of support or favourable votes in a forthcoming election or poll.
- And certainly, there is great difference, betvveen a Cunning Man, and a Wiſe Man; Not onely in Point of Honeſty, but in point of Ability. There be that can packe the Cards, and yet cannot play vvell; So there are ſome, that are good in Canuaſſes, and Factions, that are othervviſe VVeake Men.[1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Cunning. XXII.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 127
- In the election of which Proctors, was the greateſt canvas, (as 'twas thought) in the memory of Man. […] For the taking of the Suffrages, […] the ſcrutiny continued till after 9 of the clock at night. In the year 1616 was a greater Canvas than this, there being then 1078 voices given on all Sides.1691, [Anthony Wood], “An. Dom. 1624. 22. Jac. I.”, in Athenæ Oxonienses. An Exact History of All the Writers and Bishops who have had Their Education in the Most Ancient and Famous University of...
- A scrutiny of the votes cast in an election to reject irregular votes; also, a tally, audit, and certification of votes.
- Elections officials [in California] have approximately one month (28 days for presidential electors and 30 days for all other contests) to complete their extensive tallying, auditing, and certification work (known as the ‘official canvass’). Most notably, voting by mail has increased significantly...2016 November 16, John Nichols, “Hillary Clinton’s Popular-vote Victory is Unprecedented—and Still Growing”, in The Nation, New York, N.Y.: The Nation Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the...
- The canvasses are open to the public. You will be asked to sign in and follow certain rules to observe all canvasses. […] You must direct all questions concerning the canvass process to the Election Director or the individual organizing the canvass.2024 August, State of Maryland, Maryland State Board of Elections, archived from the original on 06 Apr 2025, retrieved 18 Oct 2024
- A thorough discussion or investigation. (Possibly; the meaning is unclear.)
- […] I haue learned this faſhion of Sᵗ. Hierome the Oracle of Antiquitie, vvho vvas vvont to entertaine his Paula, and Euſtochium, Marcella, Principia, Hedibia, and other deuout Ladies, vvith learned canuaſes of the deep pointes of Diuinity.1611, Joseph Hall, “Epistle IIII. To My Lady Honoria Hay. Discoursing of the Necessity of Baptisme; and the Estate of Those which Necessarily Want It.”, in Epistles […], volume III, London: […]...
- But mistake me not, Reader; I do not contend (in thus arguing) that this opinion of the Præexistency of the Soul, is true, but that it is not such a self-condemned Falsity, but that I might without justly incurring the censure of any Vainnesse or Levity, deem it worthy the canvase and discussion of...1647, Henry More, “[Philosophical Poems.] The Preface to the Reader.”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Complete Poems of Dr. Henry More (1614–1687) […] (Chertsey Worthies’ Library)...
- Rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.).
- But vvhy ſhouldſt thou take thy Canvas ſo to heart? It may bee thou art not fit. But as a childe that vveares his fathers ſhooes, hat, headpeece, breſtplate, or breeches; or holds his ſpeare, but is nether able to vveild the one, or vveare the other; ſo vvouldſt thou doe by ſuch an office or...1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Against Repulse, Abuses, Iniuries, Contempts, Disgraces, Contumelies, Slanders, Scoffes, &c.”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition...
- And now I'll tell thee, I have promis'd him / As much as marriage comes to, and I lose / My honour, if my don receive the canvas.1626 (first performance; published 1652), James Shirley, “The Brothers”, in William Gifford, Alexander Dyce, editors, The Dramatic Works and Poems of James Shirley, […], volume I, London: John...
Also used as
canvass is also the obsolete spelling of canvas.
Examples of canvass in a sentence
- I have made careful ſearch on all hands, and canvaſs’d the Matter with all poſſible Diligence, […]1695, John Woodward, “Part V. Of the Alterations which the Terraqueous Globe hath Undergone since the Time of the Deluge.”, in An Essay...
- Lorraine, you ought to canvass me; do you not know that all the gracious countenance Lady Mandeville can extend is mine by pledge and promise?1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IX, in Romance and Reality. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […]...
- This is an opinion we are, likewise, soon to canvass.a. 1857, William Hamilton, “Lecture XI. Outine of Distribution of Mental Phænomena: Consciousness,—Its Special Conditions.”, in H[enry]...
- The Manchester & East Midlands Rail Action partnership has been leafleting homes to canvass support for its reopening campaign.2023 January 11, Howard Johnston, “Regional News: North West”, in RAIL, number 974, page 18:
Forms of canvass
| Verb | |
|---|---|
| third-person singular present | canvasses |
| present participle | canvassing |
| past participle | canvassed |
| past | canvassed |
| alternative form | canvas |
| Noun | |
| plural | canvasses |
Origin of canvass
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).
A variant of canvas (noun).
Words formed from canvass
Questions about canvass
- What does canvass mean?
- Canvass means to thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.
- How do you use canvass in a sentence?
- I have made careful ſearch on all hands, and canvaſs’d the Matter with all poſſible Diligence, […]
- What part of speech is canvass?
- Canvass can be a verb or a noun.
- How do you pronounce canvass?
- Canvass is pronounced /ˈkænvəs/ (UK).
- What is the past tense of canvass?
- The past tense of canvass is canvassed.
Words near canvass in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: canvass (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-canvass.wav, En-us-canvas.ogg.
Cite this entry: “canvass.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/canvass. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.