CANVASS, verb transitive 1. To discuss; literally, to beat or shake out, to open by beating or shaking, like the Latin Discutio. This is the common use of the word, as to canvass a subject, or the policy of a measure. 2. To examine returns of votes; to search or scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes for senators. CANVASS, verb intransitive 1. To seek or go about to solicit votes or interest; to use efforts to obtain; to make interest in favor of; followed by for; as, to canvass for an office, or preferment; to canvass for a friend. CANVASS, noun 1. Examination; close inspection to know the state of; as a canvass of votes. 2. Discussion; debate 3. A seeking, solicitation, or efforts to obtain.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI