US /ˈkænvəs/ UK /ˈkænvəs/
verb noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to solicit votes or opinions from people in an area

    Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood ahead of the election.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to solicit votes or... solicitpollsurveycampaignelectioneerexaminescrutinize
Word family
Derived forms canvassercanvassing
Related forms canvas

Etymology

From canvas (the cloth), via the verb meaning 'to toss in a canvas sheet', hence 'to shake up, agitate, discuss thoroughly'; canvas is from Old French canevas, from Latin cannabis ('hemp').

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