a. [ad. L. candid-us white, glistening (also used in many fig. senses as below), f. stem of candēre to be white, to glisten. Perh. immediately from F. candide, 16th c. in Littré. (Not in Shaksp., Bible, Cotgrave, or Cockeram 1623.)]
† 1. White. (Usually with reference to other meanings, or in translation from Latin.) Obs. or arch.
1630. Jackson, Creed, VIII. xxvi. Wks. 1844, VIII. 105. Herod, in sending him back to Pilate in a white or candid robe, did bear witness of his innocency and integrity.
a. 1700. Dryden, Fabl., Pythagor. Philos., 60. The stones came candid forth, the hue of innocence.
1738. Warburton, Div. Legat., I. 54. That candid Appearance, which … does result from the Mixture of all kinds of Colours.
1805. J. M. Good, Lucretius, I. 298. The candid milk.
2. fig. † a. Splendid, illustrious; fortunate.
1648. Herrick, Hesper., To T. Shapcott, 179. Brave men … whose candid actions are Writ in the poets endlesse kalendar.
1715. Bentley, Serm., x. 371. This candid and joyful Day.
b. Pure, clear; stainless, innocent. arch.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. I. 72. Nor cared to make his designs … appear as candid as they were.
a. 1667. Cowley, To Royal Soc., ix. His candid stile like a clean stream does slide.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., IX. 475. Where does the figment touch her candid fame?
3. Free from bias; fair, impartial, just.
1635. Swan, Spec. M. (1643), Pref. 1. Men of candid sinceritie will be readie … to give it a friendly welcome.
1754. Chatham, Lett. Nephew, vi. 46. Keep your mind in a candid state of suspense.
1828. Arnold, Lett., in Life & Corr. (1844), I. v. 243. I know that your mind is entirely candid: and that no man will conduct an inquiry with more perfect fairness.
1883. Froude, Short Stud., IV. II. iii. 184. He was too candid to attribute such doubts, as others did, to wickedness of heart.
† 4. ‘Free from malice; not desirous to find faults’ (J.); ‘gentle, courteous’ (Cotgr.); favorably disposed, favorable, kindly. Obs.
1633. Marmion, Fine Compan., Ded. Candid dispositions who (in spite of malice and ignorance) dare countenance Poetry.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 79/2. To shun the censorious, and to apply our selves to such as are candid.
1718. Free-thinker, No. 61. 37. Your Lectures meet with a very Candid Reception.
1732. Pope, Ess. Man, i. 15. Laugh where we must, be candid where we can.
1800. R. Watt, in Med. Jrnl., IV. 502. The candid manner in which my Communication has been treated, lays me under strong obligations.
5. Frank, open, ingenuous, straight-forward, sincere in what one says.
1675. Ogilby, Brit., Advt. We shall gratefully accept Candid Informations.
1774. Goldsm., Retal., 113. Let us be candid and speak out our mind.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. ii. 121. A … very candid account of Henry’s feelings is furnished by himself.
b. ironically, in phrase candid friend: one who claims to be a friend, and, in the name of candor, speaks unpleasant things.
1798. Canning, New Moral., in Anti-Jacobin, 9 July (1852), 208. Save, save, oh! save me from the Candid Friend!
1867. Habits & Cust. Working Classes, 26. Troops of friends … candid and sugar-candied.
1884. Daily News, 5 Dec., 3/1. Mr. Raikes congratulated the right hon. gentleman [Mr. Goschen] on being able to pose as the candid friend of the Conservative party.
