The words 'canvas' and 'canvass' sound identical, but their meanings
are very different.
Canvas
The noun 'canvas'
(with one 's' at the end) refers to a heavy woven cloth of hemp, flax or cotton.
It is used for sails, tents and paintings. The word 'canvas' is also used
figuratively for the floor of a boxing or wrestling ring (i.e., they are often
not made of canvas).
Canvass
The verb
'canvass' has several closely related meanings. It can mean:
Canvass Used as a Noun
Nowadays, 'canvass' is used as a noun
to denote the processes above.
Examples:
Did your
canvass of the local area succeed in determining the support for the
bypass? 
I heard
Joan's canvass was postponed due to the storm.
(The noun 'canvassing' is more common than the noun 'canvass'. It can be substituted into both examples above.)
Select the correct version:
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SS = SOLICIT SUPPORT
Use the last two letters of 'canvass' to bring 'solicit support'
to mind.
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