From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
canvass
n 1: the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic
account; "the crowded canvas of history"; "the movie
demanded a dramatic canvas of sound" [syn: canvas,
canvass]
2: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a
random sample of people [syn: poll, opinion poll, public
opinion poll, canvass]
3: a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of
which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel [syn: sail,
canvas, canvass, sheet]
4: a tent made of canvas fabric [syn: canvas tent, canvas,
canvass]
5: an oil painting on canvas fabric [syn: canvas, canvass]
6: the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or
professional wrestlers compete; "the boxer picked himself up
off the canvas" [syn: canvas, canvass]
7: a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or
sails or tents) [syn: canvas, canvass]
v 1: get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
[syn: poll, canvass, canvas]
2: solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
[syn: canvass, canvas]
3: consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to
discover essential features or meaning; "analyze a sonnet by
Shakespeare"; "analyze the evidence in a criminal trial";
"analyze your real motives" [syn: analyze, analyse,
study, examine, canvass, canvas]