e_ is to _rub off_, smooth
away the face, as of an inscription; to _erase_ is to _scratch out_,
commonly for the purpose of writing something else in the same space; to
_expunge_, is to punch out with some sharp instrument, so as to show
that the words are no longer part of the writing; to _obliterate_ is to
cover over or remove, as a letter, as was done by reversing the Roman
stylus, and _rubbing out_ with the rounded end what had been written
with the point on the waxen tablet. What has been _canceled_, _erased_,
_expunged_, may perhaps still be traced; what is _obliterated_ is gone
forever, as if it had never been. In many establishments, when a debt
is _discharged_ by payment, the record is _canceled_. The figurative use
of the words keeps close to the primary sense. Compare ABOLISH.

Antonyms:

approve, enact, establish, perpetuate, reenact, uphold,
confirm, enforce, maintain, record, sustain, write.

* * * * *

CANDID.

Synonyms:

aboveboard, honest, open, truthful,
artless, impartial, simple, unbiased,
fair, ingenuous, sincere, unprejudiced,
frank, innocent, straightforward, unreserved,
guileless, naive, transparent, unsophisticated.

A _candid_ statement is meant to be true to the real facts and just to
all parties; a _fair_ statement is really so. _Fair_ is applied to the
conduct; _candid_ is not; as, _fair_ treatment, "a _fair_ field, and no
favor." One who is _frank_ has a fearless and unconstrained
truthfulness. _Honest_ and _ingenuous_ unite in expressing contempt for
deceit. On the other hand, _artless_, _guileless_, _naive_, _simple_,
and _unsophisticated_ express the goodness which comes from want of the
knowledge or thought of evil. As truth is not always agreeable or
timely, _candid_ and _frank_ have often an objectionable sense; "to be
_candid_ with you," "to be perfectly _frank_," are regarded as sure
preludes to something disagreeable. _Open_ and _unreserved_ may imply
unstudied truthfulness or defiant recklessness; as, _open_ admiration,
_open_ robbery. There may be _transparent_ integrity or _transparent_
fraud. _Sincere_ applies to the feelings, as being all that one's words
would imply.

Antonyms:

adroit, cunning, diplomatic, intriguing, sharp, subtle,
artful, deceitful, foxy, knowing, shrewd, tricky,
crafty, designing, insi