can|dy

can|dy «KAN dee», noun, plural -dies, verb, -died, -dy|ing, adjective.

–n.

1. sugar or syrup, boiled with water and flavoring, then cooled and made into small pieces for eating: »

sugar candy.

Chocolate, butter, milk, nuts, and fruits are often added. SYNONYM(S): confection.

2. a piece of this: »

Take a candy from the box.

SYNONYM(S): bonbon.

3. Informal. something pleasing but insubstantial, like a sweet treat. »

a new magazine described as an odd combination of mind candy and intelligent discourse.

–v.t.

1. to turn into sugar; congeal or form into crystals, especially by boiling sugar or syrup.

2. to cook (something) in sugar; preserve by boiling in sugar: »

She candied the peaches before canning them.

3. Figurative. to make sweet, agreeable, or palatable; sweeten; sugar over.

4. to cover or incrust with crystals, as of ice: »

The cold brook candied with ice (Shakespeare).

–v.i.

1. to turn into candy or become covered with candied sugar.

2. to become crystallized or congealed: »

The honey has candied.

–adj.

Archaic. flattering; honeyed.

╂[earlier sugar candy < French (sucre) candi < Italian (zucchero) candito < Arabic qandat sugar < Persian qand]