CANDIDATE

campaigner, candidate, nominee

(noun) a politician who is running for public office

candidate, prospect

(noun) someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

candidate (plural candidates)

A person who is running in an election.

A person who is applying for a job.

A participant in an examination.

Something or somebody that may be suitable.

(genetics) A gene which may play a role in a given disease.

Verb

candidate (third-person singular simple present candidates, present participle candidating, simple past and past participle candidated)

(uncommon) To stand as a candidate for an office, especially a religious one.

(nonstandard, chiefly, in jargon and NNES) To make or name (something) a candidate (for use, for study as a next project, for investigation as a possible cause of something, etc).

Source: Wiktionary

Can"di*date, n. Etym: [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.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition