Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “canvassing” come from?

Canvassing derives from English canvas, which came from Middle English canevas, ultimately from Old Northern French canevas, a fabric used for sails and other purposes.

canvassing (English): present participle of canvass; The act of one who...

Definitions

  1. present participle of canvass; The act of one who...

Ancestry of “canvassing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcanvassA solicitation of voters or public opinion; A...
2EnglishcanvasA type of coarse cloth, woven from hemp, useful...
3Middle Englishcanevasflaxen fabric, canvas; A portion of canvas; a...
4Old Northern Frenchcanevas—
5Latincannabaceus—
6Late LatincannabumAlternative form of cannabis
7Latincannabishemp; dative/ablative plural of cannabum;...
8Ancient Greekκάνναβιςhemp; hemp seed

Words derived from “canvassing”

  • telecanvassing
Every word from Ancient Greek κάνναβις →