Main Entry: can·di·da

Pronunciation: \ˈkan-də-də\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, genus name, from Latin, feminine of candidus

Date: 1939

: any of a genus (Candida) of parasitic fungi that resemble yeasts, occur especially in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract where they are usually benign but can become pathogenic, and have been grouped with the imperfect fungi but are now often placed with the ascomycetes; especially : one (C. albicans) causing thrush

— can·di·dal \-də-d^əl\ adjective