Candors

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being open and honest in expression, often characterized by straightforwardness and transparency
2. An attribute denoting frankness and sincerity in communication, where one shares thoughts or feelings without concealment
3. The state of exhibiting honesty and clarity in dialogue, typically implying a lack of pretense or deceit

Etymology: "Candors" is simply the plural of "candor," so the history belongs to the singular. The English noun comes from Latin "candor," which meant "brightness" or "whiteness," and that Latin word was itself formed from "candeo," "to shine." The connection between shining and honesty is a metaphor that runs through the root: a thing that is bright and clear is easy to see into, and so the sense moved from physical radiance to a clear, open quality of mind and speech. In English the sense is that of frankness in speech, an unreserved and straightforward willingness to say what one thinks. The plural "candors" is used when referring to several instances or displays of this openness, as in speaking of the candors of a particular conversation. The singular is the form most people use, and the plural simply counts those acts of plain speaking.

Synonyms: openness, frankness, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness

Antonyms: dishonesty, insincerity, deceit, duplicity, pretense