A person who is examined; esp. one who is tested for knowledge, skill, or competence, an examination candidate.

A person who is tested for knowledge, skill, or competence; an examination candidate. Obsolete.

A person who is tested for knowledge, skill, or competence; an examination candidate. Cf. examinate, n. 2. Now rare.

Formerly the word had a spec. use in the Universities (cf. licentiate, n. 1b), but this is now merged in the general sense.

The majority; the masses. Also formerly in University slang: candidates for a pass degree.

In feudal Japan: a samurai without a lord or master, esp. one who lives as a mercenary warrior; a wandering samurai, an outlaw. Also figurative.

Any of the competitors that are left in for the final contest; also, a candidate in the last of a series of examinations (see final, adj. 1d).