canvass

Noun

• a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

• the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete
  • the boxer picked himself up off the canvas
    

• an oil painting on canvas fabric

• a tent made of canvas fabric

• a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

• an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people

• the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account
  • the crowded canvas of history
    
  • the movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
    

Verb

• 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
    

• solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign

• get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  canvas , canvas tent , sail , sheet , poll , opinion poll , public opinion poll , analyze , analyse , study , examine