Etymologically
Log in

canvass

Etymology and origin of the English word canvass

History Permalink

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈkænvəs/[1]

Etymology

It is a spelling of canvas used as a verb,[2][3][4][5] first meaning to toss someone in a canvas sheet as a sport or punishment.[2][3][4][6] The double -ss spelling arose in the 16th century[3][4] and now helps to keep the two words apart.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To toss in a canvas sheet, as a sport or punishment (1508).[6][3][7]

Semantic evolution

From tossing in a sheet the meaning moved to shaking out a subject for examination, so “to discuss thoroughly, examine carefully” (1530).[6][3][4] Compare Old French canabasser “to examine carefully”, literally “to sift through canvas”.[4] In between, the verb also meant to batter someone, or to criticize them harshly.[6][5] The sense “to solicit votes” is recorded before 1555,[3][4] though how it developed is unclear.[4][5] The noun, for a solicitation of votes, appears in 1612.[6]

Timeline

  • 1508 – to toss in a canvas sheet.[6][3][7]
  • 1530 – to discuss thoroughly, examine.[6][3]
  • before 1555 – to solicit votes.[3]
  • 1573 – to beat, batter (obsolete).[6]
  • 1612 – noun, personal solicitation of votes.[6]
  • 1715 – to scrutinize votes.[6]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To visit (people or an area) to seek votes, orders or support.
  2. To survey public opinion; to poll.
  3. To examine carefully or discuss thoroughly.
  4. To examine votes officially for validity.

Noun

  1. A solicitation of votes, orders or opinions.
  2. A detailed examination or discussion.

Word family

  • canvasser
  • canvas
  • hemp
  • cannabis

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Cite this entry

“Canvass.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/canvass. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·