▪ I. ˈcanvassing, vbl. n.
The action of the vb. canvass, q.v.
| 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding (1611) 86 This errour must needs hold by the canuasing of the Scriptures 1577 Stanyhurst Desc. Irel. in Holinshed VI. 25 Through the canvasing of the towne merchants..that famous Mart was supprest. 1589 Cooper Admon. 142 Such canuasing and working for Bishoprikes. 1606 Holland Sueton. 34 a, That pastime with us in some places called the canvasing, and else where the vanning of dogs. 1613 R. C. Table Alph. (ed. 3) Canuasing, narrowly searching out of any thing. 1620 Shelton Quix. iv. v. II. 55 She told likewise all the Story of his Canvasing. 1753 Smollett Ct. Fathom (1784) 121/2 He..after much canvassing agreed to discharge the defendant. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xvi. 121 At canvassing or election time. |
† b. (ellipt. const. for ‘a-canvassing’.)
| 1681 Temple Mem. iii. (R.) The elections were canvassing for a new parliament. |
▪ II. ˈcanvassing, ppl. a.
That canvasses.
| 1579 J. Stubbes Gaping Gulf F ij, Such a rablement of itching canuasing discoursing and subtile heads. 1865 Knight Pass. Working Life III. 18 The persevering activity of the agents of the canvassing booksellers. |