can·vass /ˈkænvəs/
  細查,討論,勸誘(vt.)徹底檢查,細究,向…拉票或拉生意,討論(vi.)遊說
  Can·vass v. t. [imp. & p. p. canvassed p. pr. & vb. n. Canvassing.]
  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.
     I have made careful search on all hands, and canvassed the matter with all possible diligence.   --Woodward.
  2. To examine by discussion; to debate.
     An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass.   --Sir W. Hamilton.
  3. To go through, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.
  Can·vass, v. i. To search thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district; as, to canvass for subscriptions or for votes; to canvass for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a charity; -- commonly followed by for.
  Can·vass, n.
  1. Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.
  2. Examination in the way of discussion or debate.
  3. Search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, etc.
     No previous canvass was made for me.   --Burke.
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  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]
       2: an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a
          random sample of people [syn: poll, opinion poll, public
          opinion poll]
       3: a large piece of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind
          is used to propel a sailing vessel [syn: sail, canvas,
           sheet]
       4: a tent made of canvas [syn: canvas tent, canvas]
       5: an oil painting on canvas [syn: canvas]
       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]
       7: heavy closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or
          sails or tents) [syn: canvas]
       v 1: get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions
            [syn: poll, canvas]
       2: solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign
          [syn: 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, canvas]