1. (

• canvas ,
• canvass

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

2. (

• poll ,
• opinion_poll ,
• public_opinion_poll ,
• canvass

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

3. (

• sail ,
• canvas ,
• canvass ,
• sheet ,

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

4. (

• canvas_tent ,
• canvas ,
• canvass ,

) a tent made of canvas fabric ;

5. (

• canvas ,
• canvass ,

) an oil painting on canvas fabric ;

6. (

• canvas ,
• canvass ,

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

7. (

• canvas ,
• canvass

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

1. (

• poll ,
• canvass ,

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

2. (

• canvass

) solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign ;

3. (

• analyze ,
• analyse ,
• study ,
• examine ,
• canvass ,

) 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" ;