IPA: /ˈkæn.vəs/
KK: /ˈkæn.vəs/
To seek opinions or votes from people, often by going door to door or asking questions.
The volunteers will canvass the neighborhood to gather support for the candidate.
Past: canvassed
Past Participle: canvassed
A process of asking people for their opinions or votes, often used in elections or surveys.
The team went door to door to conduct a canvass for the upcoming election.
To ask people for their opinions or votes, often in a systematic way, or to examine something in detail.
The campaign team will canvass the neighborhood to gather support for their candidate.
Past: canvassed
Past Participle: canvassed
Canvass originates from the Middle English 'canvassen', which comes from the Old French 'canvasser', meaning to examine or discuss. The word is related to the Latin 'cannabis', referring to the hemp plant, which was used for making canvases. The term evolved to mean soliciting votes or opinions, as one would examine or discuss matters with others.
Think of 'canvassing' as examining or discussing opinions, just like how you would discuss ideas on a canvas.