Link Centre Dictionary

canvass

can·vass

UK/ˈkænvəs/ US/ˈkænvəs/ uncommon obsolete us
verb (3) noun (7)

verb

1.

get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions

Synonyms
2.

solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign

Synonyms
3.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

  • “analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare”
  • “analyze the evidence in a criminal trial”
  • “analyze your real motives”
Synonyms

noun

1.

the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account

  • “the crowded canvas of history”
  • “the movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound”
Synonyms
2.

an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people

Synonyms
3.

a large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

Synonyms
4.
5.

an oil painting on canvas

Synonyms
6.

the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete

  • “the boxer picked himself up off the canvas”
Synonyms
7.

heavy closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

Synonyms

Origin

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).

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.