canvass

Etymology 1

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).

verb

1. (transitive, figurative)
   1. To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize.
      Look into the vvord of God, and you ſhall find that it hath very much exerciſed the thoughts of the righteous, and Seneca the Philoſopher, canvaſſeth this grand Caſe, how it ſhould come to paſs that the vvicked proſpered. 1676, John Wilson, “Sermon II. Psalm 73. 23, 24, 25, 26.”, in The Vanity of Mans Present State Proved and Applyed, in a Sermon on Psalm 39. 5.[…], London: […] Samuel Sprint,[…], →OCLC, page 78
      How old this question was and how thoughtfully it had been canvassed we were not aware until we turned up a discussion dating from the early eighteenth century which may prove as fresh and interesting to some of our readers as it did to us. 1920 January, Keith Preston, “Translations and Translators”, in Frank J[ustus] Miller, Arthur T. Walker, editors, The Classical Journal, volume XV, number 4, Chicago, Ill.: Classical Association of the Middle West and South with the co-operation of the Classical Association of New England and the Classical Association of the Pacific States; University of Chicago Press, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 242
   2. (by extension, politics, obsolete except US, Philippines) To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result).
   3. 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.
      Buxton: A survey of 3,000 users of the Monsal Trail has revealed 98% support for the rebuilding of the railway to Matlock. The Manchester & East Midlands Rail Action partnership has been leafleting homes to canvass support for its reopening campaign. January 11 2023, Howard Johnston, “Regional News: North West”, in RAIL, number 974, page 18
   4. (specifically, politics) 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.
2. (transitive, obsolete)
   1. To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket.
   2. (by extension) To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something).
   3. (by extension) To assail or attack (someone or something).
   4. (by extension) To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.).
3. (intransitive)
   1. To debate, to discuss.
   2. 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 chief honours and offices which ambitious men goe all day long with great labour and are canuassing and crauing for 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 Series; VII), volume I, London: Constable and Co.; New York, N.Y.: Alfred A[braham] Knopf, published 1925, →OCLC, 1st book, pages 25–26
      [T]he nature of man, created after the Image of God, I mean, his Reaſonable nature, hath ſuch an agreement and liking to all that is ſubſtantially and really good, (ſuch are all the Commands of the Natural and Chriſtian Law) that it ſtill canvaſeth on that ſide, and ſolicites the will to embrace the good, and prefer it before the pleaſurable evil; […] a. 1661 (date written), H[enry] Hammond, “Sect IV. Of the Holy Catholick Church.”, in A Practical Catechism[…], 7th edition, London: […] J. F. for R[ichard] Royston,[…], published 1662, →OCLC, book V, page 354
      ADAM BERENDT, who canvassed through Rockland County on behalf of education, environmental, and gun control bond issues. 2001, Joyce Carol Oates, “Prologue: Fourth of July”, in Middle Age: A Romance, New York, N.Y.: Ecco, section 7, page 5
   3. (specifically, politics) To seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll; to campaign.

noun

1. (countable) A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.
2. (countable, specifically, politics) A seeking or solicitation, or determination, of support or favourable votes in a forthcoming election or poll.
3. (countable, US, politics) 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 in recent years and many vote-by-mail ballots arrive on, or up to three days after, Election Day (vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county elections official no later than three days after the election are included in the canvass). 16 November 2016, 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 original on 2016-12-19
4. (obsolete)
   1. (countable) A thorough discussion or investigation. (Possibly; the meaning is unclear.)
   2. (uncountable) Rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.).

Etymology 2

A variant of canvas (noun).

noun

1. Obsolete spelling of canvas
   The double desire of being able to overtake a weaker flying enemy, or to escape when pursued by a stronger, has induced the owners to overmast their cruisers, and to spread too much canvass; and the great number of men, many of them not seamen, who being upon deck when a ship heels suddenly are huddled down to leeward, and increase by their weight the effect of the wind. 1785 August, Benjamin Franklin, “On Improvements in Navigation”, in Jared Sparks, editor, Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin,[…], volume III, London: […] [Abraham John Valpy] for Henry Colburn,[…], published 1818, →OCLC, part IV (Philosophical Subjects), page 525