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canvass
[ kan-vuhs ]
/ ËkĂŠn vÉs /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.
noun
a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like.
a campaign for election to government office.
close inspection; scrutiny: the official canvass of election results.
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Origin of canvass
First recorded in 1500â10; originally a spelling variant of canvas, as a verb; the sense âdiscussâ apparently a development of the earlier senses âtoss in a canvas sheet,â and âharshly criticizeâ; the sense âsolicit votesâ is obscurely derived
OTHER WORDS FROM canvass
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH canvass
canvas, canvassWords nearby canvass
canula, Canute, canvas, canvasback, canvas duck, canvass, canvasser, canvassing, canyon, Canyon de Chelly, canyoning
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use canvass in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for canvass
canvass
/ (ËkĂŠnvÉs) /
verb
to solicit votes, orders, advertising, etc, from
to determine the feelings and opinions of (voters before an election, etc), esp by conducting a survey
to investigate (something) thoroughly, esp by discussion or debate
mainly US to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity
noun
a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc
close inspection; scrutiny
Derived forms of canvass
canvasser, nouncanvassing, nounWord Origin for canvass
C16: probably from obsolete sense of canvas (to toss someone in a canvas sheet, hence, to harass, criticize); the development of current senses is unexplained
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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