canvassing

Verb

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

1. (figuratively, transitive) 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
2. (Philippines, broadly, figuratively, transitive, obsolete except US) 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...
3. (figuratively, transitive) 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.
4. (figuratively, specifically, transitive) 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.
5. (obsolete, transitive) 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]...
6. (broadly, obsolete, transitive) 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

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