Search Result for "canvassing": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. persuasion of voters in a political campaign;
[syn: electioneering, bell ringing, canvassing]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Canvass \Can"vass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. canvassed; p. pr. & vb. n. Canvassing.] [OF. Canabasser to examine curiously, to search or sift out; properly, to sift through canvas. See Canvas, n.] 1. 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. [1913 Webster] I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence. --Woodward. [1913 Webster] 2. To examine by discussion; to debate. [1913 Webster] An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster] 3. To go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

canvassing n 1: persuasion of voters in a political campaign [syn: electioneering, bell ringing, canvassing]