One who offers himself or is offered by others for an office. CANON, cccl. law . This word is taken from the Greek, and signifies a rule or law. In the ecclesiastical law, it is also applied to designate an order of religious persons. See Law, Canon.
A guide to Candidate
himself or is offered by others for an
office.
CANON, cccl. law . This word is
taken from the Greek, and signifies a
rule or law. In the ecclesiastical law,
it is also applied to designate an order
of religious persons. See Law, Canon.
Why Candidate is relevant in U.S. law
Candidate appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how Candidate applies
In practice, Candidate is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Bouvier's Law Dictionary (1856) , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.