Can"vass (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. canvassed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Canvassing.] [OF. Canabasser to
examine curiously, to search or sift out; properly, to sift
through canvas. See Canvas, n.]
1. To sift; to strain; to examine
thoroughly; to scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes cast
at an election; to canvass a district with reference to
its probable vote.
I have made careful search on all hands, and
canvassed the matter with all possible diligence.
Woodward.
2. To examine by discussion; to
debate.
An opinion that we are likely soon to
canvass.
Sir W. Hamilton.
3. To go through, with personal
solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a
district for votes; to canvass a city for
subscriptions.
Can"vass, v. i. To search
thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district;
as, to canvass for subscriptions or for votes; to
canvass for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a
charity; -- commonly followed by for.
Can"vass, n. 1.
Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a
canvass of votes. Bacon.
2. Examination in the way of discussion
or debate.
3. Search; exploration; solicitation;
systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, etc.
No previous canvass was made for me.
Burke.
