canvass English · revision 2090

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkænvəs/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a spelling of [[canvas]] used as a verb,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) first meaning to toss someone in a canvas sheet as a sport or punishment.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The double ''-ss'' spelling arose in the 16th century^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) and now helps to keep the two words apart.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To toss in a canvas sheet, as a sport or punishment (1508).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From tossing in a sheet the meaning moved to shaking out a subject for examination, so “to discuss thoroughly, examine carefully” (1530).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Compare Old French ''canabasser'' “to examine carefully”, literally “to sift through canvas”.^(Etymonline) In between, the verb also meant to batter someone, or to criticize them harshly.^(OED 1989)^(RHWU) The sense “to solicit votes” is recorded before 1555,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) though how it developed is unclear.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) The noun, for a solicitation of votes, appears in 1612.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1508 – to toss in a canvas sheet.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1530 – to discuss thoroughly, examine.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * before 1555 – to solicit votes.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1573 – to beat, batter (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1612 – noun, personal solicitation of votes.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1715 – to scrutinize votes.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To visit (people or an area) to seek votes, orders or support.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To survey public opinion; to poll.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To examine carefully or discuss thoroughly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To examine votes officially for validity.^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A solicitation of votes, orders or opinions.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A detailed examination or discussion.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[canvasser]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[canvas]]

+ * [[hemp]]

+ * [[cannabis]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}