canvass
UK[ˈkænvəs]US[ˈkænvəs]
v
To try to get political support or votes, especially by visiting all the houses in an area.
v
To ask people about something in order to get their opinion or to find out information.
n
An act of trying to get political support or to find out people's opinions.
Etymology
The word 'canvass' entered English in the early 16th century from the Anglo-Norman 'canvasser', meaning 'to toss in a canvas sheet'. This was derived from 'canevas', meaning 'canvas'. The original sense was 'to sift through canvas', as one might sift impurities from ore. This literal meaning of vigorous shaking and examination evolved metaphorically. By the mid-16th century, it developed the sense of 'to discuss thoroughly' or 'to scrutinize', and later, specifically 'to solicit votes or opinions', capturing the idea of thoroughly examining or sifting through a population for support or information.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Anglo-Norman and Old French. Its spelling and form have been anglicized as a single, unsegmentable unit in modern English.
Examples
Volunteers will canvass the neighborhood before the election.
The company is canvassing its customers for feedback on the new design.
After a thorough canvass of local residents, the council decided to build the playground.