Online dictionaryOnline dictionary
Synonyms, antonyms, pronunciation

  Home
English Dictionary      examples: 'day', 'get rid of', 'New York Bay'




Canvass   /kˈænvəs/   Listen
verb
Canvass  v. t.  (past & past part. canvassed; pres. part. canvassing)  
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."
2.
To examine by discussion; to debate. "An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass."
3.
To go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.



Canvass  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.



noun
Canvass  n.  
1.
Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.
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."






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








Advanced search
     Find words:
Starting with
Ending with
Containing
Matching a pattern  

Synonyms
Antonyms
Quotes
Words linked to  

only single words



Share |
Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar





"Canvass" Quotes from Famous Books



... on the starboard tack. I lost not one moment, in making the signal for the squadron to cut, or slip; and directed Captain Miller of the Minorca, to run down to the Foudroyant and Alexander with the intelligence, and to repeat the signal. Under a press of canvass, I chased until five in the morning, solely guided by the cannonading of the Penelope; and, as a direction to the squadron, a rocket and blue light were shewn every half hour from the Lion. As the day broke, I found myself in gun-shot of ...
— The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Vol. II (of 2) • James Harrison

... my remaining basket, which I had placed by them. I got up from the table and presented it to her. Her father then told her of my supposed infirmities. I could scarcely help laughing while I heard them canvass my personal appearance, my merits and demerits. Pity, however, seemed to be the predominant feeling. When the dinner was over, I happened to look up at an old clock and saw that it had stopped. I went up to it, and took it from the nail. I saw it wanted but very little to make it ...
— Recollections of Old Liverpool • A Nonagenarian

... vas a British Sailor, For to judge him by his look: Tarry jacket, canvass trowsies, Ha-la Mr. ...
— Ballads • William Makepeace Thackeray

... the fore top-gallant yard. In the morning, the bolt rope of the main top-sail broke, and occasioned the sail to be split. I have observed that the ropes to all our sails, the square sails especially, are not of a size and strength sufficient to wear out the canvass. At noon, latitude 55 deg. 20' S., longitude 134 deg. 16' W., a great swell from N.W.: Albatrosses ...
— A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World Volume 2 • James Cook

... Odowalsky, well we are alone; Matters of weight have we to canvass which 'Tis meet the prince know nothing of. May he Pursue the voice divine that goads him on! If in himself he have belief, the world Will catch the flame, and give him credence too. He must be kept in that vague, shadowing mist, Which is a fruitful mother ...
— Demetrius - A Play • Frederich Schiller


More quotes...



Copyright © 2025 Dictionary One.com