Canʹdidate (3 syl.)

means “clothed in white.” Those who solicited the office of consul, quæstor, prætor, etc., among the Romans, arrayed themselves in a loose white robe. It was loose that they might show the people their scars, and white in sign of fidelity and humility. (Latiu, candĭdus, whence candidāti, clothed in white, etc.)