v., -vassed, -vass·ing, -vass·es.

v.tr.

1. To examine carefully or discuss thoroughly; scrutinize: “The evidence had been repeatedly canvassed in American courts” (Anthony Lewis).
2. 1. To go through (a region) or go to (persons) to solicit votes or orders.
   2. To conduct a survey of (public opinion); poll.

v.intr.

1. To make a thorough examination or conduct a detailed discussion.
2. To solicit voters, orders, or opinions.

n.

1. An examination or discussion.
2. A solicitation of votes or orders.
3. A survey of public opinion.

[From obsolete canvass, to toss in a canvas sheet as punishment, from CANVAS.]

canvasser can'vass·er n.

Canvass, to ascertain by direct personal approach how citizens intend to vote in a coming election or to seek public opinion on a candidate or issue. The practice was somewhat less common in the early 2000s because of polls made by local Newspapers and by magazines of wide national circulation, as well as polls taken by more sophisticated methods used by professional polling services. More loosely, to canvass means to campaign for the support of a given candidate or for the political ticket supported by a given party. Canvass also refers to an official examination of ballots cast in an election to determine authenticity and to verify the outcome of the election.

—Robert C. Brooks/A. G.

Making personal representation to individual persons to solicit their custom. Usually used in a political sense but also used in the sense of touting for professional patronage, considered to be an unethical practice in most countries.

IN BRIEF: To discuss or examine carefully; to ask for opinions, votes, or subscriptions from.

Before election day, political workers often canvass neighborhoods to support their candidate.

Tutor's tip: She had to "canvass" (to look out carefully) all the stores before she found the right "canvas" (fabric used in sails and by artists) for the painting.

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - drøfte, gå fra dør til dør, agitere
v. intr. - gå fra dør til dør
n. - drøftelse, husagitation, tegning af annoncer

Nederlands (Dutch)
stemmen/klanten werven, opinieonderzoek doen, grondig bespreken, idee voorstellen, geldigheid van stemmen controleren, stemmen-/ klantenwerving, diepgaande discussie, opiniepeiling

Français (French)
v. tr. - démarcher, prospecter, sonder, débattre
v. intr. - (Pol) faire du démarchage électoral, (Comm) faire du démarchage
n. - tournée électorale, sondage, (Comm) prospection

Deutsch (German)
v. - Wahlwerbung treiben, bereisen, vorschlagen, erörtern
n. - (Pol.) Wahlwerbung, sorgfältige Prüfung

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - ψηφοθηρώ, διεξάγω προεκλογική εκστρατεία, ψαρεύω πελατεία, ψιλοκοσκινίζω, εξετάζω ή διερευνώ διεξοδικά

Italiano (Italian)
passare al vaglio, fare un sondaggio, fare campagna elettorale

Português (Portuguese)
v. - discutir, angariar votos, examinar
n. - debate (m), investigação (f)

Русский (Russian)
проводить предвыборную агитацию

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - sondear, solicitar votos
v. intr. - hacer una encuesta, hacer un sondeo
n. - escrutinio, recorrido en busca de votos

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - bearbeta, granska, agitera

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
彻底检查, 向...拉票或拉生意, 细究, 进行游说, 兜揽生意, 拉选票, 细查, 劝诱, 讨论

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 徹底檢查, 向...拉票或拉生意, 細究
v. intr. - 進行遊說, 兜攬生意, 拉選票
n. - 細查, 勸誘, 討論

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 부탁하고 다니다, 유세하다, 상세히 조사하다
v. intr. - 선거운동을 하다, 점검하다, 토론하다
n. - 선거운동 , 권유, 조사

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 投票を依頼して回る, 選挙運動をする, 詳しく調査する, 勧誘する
n. - 勧誘, 選挙運動

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) طاف عارضا سلع للبيع أو طلب لأصوات الناخبين‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮ניהל תעמולה, חיזר אחרי קולות‬
v. intr. - ‮שקל, דן‬
n. - ‮ניהול תעמולה, דיון‬

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