A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; especially one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.
“From a canvass of opinions, it is evident that nearly all French writers and scholars agreed that modern Germany was antipathetic to the classical tradition.”
“The canvasser visited the neighborhood, going door to door and conducting an official inquiry about the residents' opinions on the new zoning regulations.”
“The canvasser diligently went door to door, spreading the party's message and garnering support from the community.”
“We had four customers at first but Dad hired a canvasser who went out and got new business.”