noun examination in the way of discussion or debate.
2. canvass ·noun to examine by discussion; to debate.
3. canvass ·noun close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.
4. canvass ·noun search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, ·etc.
5. canvass ·noun to go trough, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.
6. canvass ·vi 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.
7. canvass ·noun 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.