Candidate \Can"di*date\, n. [L. Candidatus, n. (because
candidates for office in Rome were clothed in a white toga.)
fr. candidatus clothed in white, fr. candiduslittering,
white: cf. F. candidat.]
One who offers himself, or is put forward by others, as a
suitable person or an aspirant or contestant for an office,
privilege, or honor; as, a candidate for the office of
governor; a candidate for holy orders; a candidate for
scholastic honors.
[1913 Webster]
candidate
noun1: a politician who is running for public office [syn: campaigner, candidate, nominee]
2: someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.) [syn: candidate, prospect]
54 Moby Thesaurus words for "candidate": addict, agent, also-ran, applicant, appointee, aspirant, aspirer, assignee, baby kisser, bidder, campaigner, claimant, collector, coveter, dark horse, defeated candidate, deputy, desirer, devotee, dud, entrant, fancier, favorite son, freak, hankerer, has-been, hopeful, lame duck, licensee, lover, nominee, office seeker, petitioner, political hopeful, possibility, postulant, presidential timber, prospect, runner, running mate, seeker, selectee, solicitant, solicitor, stalking-horse, stumper, suitor, suppliant, supplicant, votary, wanter, whistle-stopper, wisher, yearner
CANDIDATE. One who offers himself or is offered by others for an office.
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