[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

candidate \can"didate\, 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

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

candidate
     n 1: a politician who is running for public office syn: campaigner,
           nominee
     2: someone who is considered for something for an office or
        prize or honor etc. syn: prospect
see also:
campaigner nominee prospect 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

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

[4] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

candidate. one who offers himself or is offered by others for an office. 

Candidate >> C Words
Candidate, definition of term: Candidate
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