canvass

/ˈkænvəs/

/ˈkænvəs/

Other forms: canvassed; canvasses

A canvass is a poll, usually a political one. Around elections, political parties often canvass particular neighborhoods, looking for votes and trying to measure the pulse of the people.

You might think of canvass as the heavy cotton cloth that is pronounced the same although spelled with only one s, that is, canvas. Canvas is used to cover things, and a canvass serves the same sort of purpose. Before elections, politicians want to cover their neighborhoods and districts with canvasses, campaign workers, flyers and the like in hopes of securing votes.

Definitions of canvass

1. verb

   get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
   synonyms: poll

   types:

   circularise, circularize

   canvass by distributing letters

   type of:

   survey

   make a survey of; for statistical purposes
2. verb

   consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
   synonyms: analyse, analyze, delve, examine, parse, study

   types:

   anatomise, anatomize

   analyze down to the smallest detail

   diagnose, name

   determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis

   diagnose

   subject to a medical analysis

   appraise, survey

   consider in a comprehensive way

   survey

   make a survey of; for statistical purposes

   compare

   examine and note the similarities or differences of

   check, check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out

   examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

   assay

   analyze (chemical substances)

   reexamine, review

   look at again; examine again

   audit, inspect, scrutinise, scrutinize

   examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification

   screen

   examine methodically

   follow, trace

   follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

   investigate, look into

   investigate scientifically

   sieve, sift

   check and sort carefully

   consider, look at, view

   look at carefully; study mentally

   process

   analyze or examine so as to come to terms with

   explore

   examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes

   explore

   examine minutely

   delve, explore, research, search

   inquire into

   explore

   travel to or penetrate into

   analogise, analogize

   make an analogy

   collate

   compare critically; of texts

   bioassay

   subject to a bio-assay

   examine, probe

   question or examine thoroughly and closely

   research

   attempt to find out in a systematic and scientific manner

   contemplate

   look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

   groak

   look or stare at longingly

   poll

   get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions

   follow, keep an eye on, observe, watch, watch over

   follow with the eyes or the mind

   experiment

   conduct a test or investigation
3. verb

   solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
   types:

   circularise, circularize

   canvass by using a questionnaire

   type of:

   beg, solicit, tap

   make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently
4. noun

   an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
   synonyms: opinion poll, poll, public opinion poll, survey

   types:

   exit poll

   a poll of voters as they leave the voting place; usually taken by news media in order to predict the outcome of an election

   straw poll, straw vote

   an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue

   type of:

   enquiry, inquiry, research

   a search for knowledge