Canvass

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun Examination in the way of discussion or debate.

II. Canvass ·noun To examine by discussion; to Debate.

III. Canvass ·noun Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.

IV. Canvass ·noun Search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, ·etc.

V. Canvass ·noun To go trough, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.

VI. 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.

VII. 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.