Clear \Clear\ (kl[=e]r), a. [Compar. Clearer (-[~e]r); superl.
Clearest.]
[OE. cler, cleer, OF. cler, F. clair, fr.L.
clarus, clear, broght, loud, distinct, renownwd; perh. akin
to L. clamare to call, E. claim. Cf. Chanticleer,
Clairvoyant, Claret, Clarufy.]
1. Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light;
luminous; unclouded.
The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
--Denham.
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun. --Canticles
vi. 10.
2. Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous;
plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.
One truth is clear; whatever is, is right. --Pope.
3. Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating;
discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.
Mother of science! now I feel thy power Within me
clear, not only to discern Things in their causes,
but to trace the ways Of highest agents. --Milton.
4. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
With a countenance as clear As friendship wears at
feasts. --Shak.
5. Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.
Hark! the numbers soft and clear Gently steal upon
the ear. --Pope.
6. Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.
7. Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as,
a clear complexion; clear lumber.
8. Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.
Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere, In
action faithful, and in honor clear. --Pope.
9. Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.
I often wished that I had clear, For life, six
hundred pounds a-year. --Swift
.
10. Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a
clear view; to keep clear of debt.
My companion . . . left the way clear for him.
--Addison.
1. Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.
The cruel corporal whispered in my ear, Five
pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
--Gay.
Clear breach. See under Breach, n., 4.
Clear days (Law.), days reckoned from one day to another,
excluding both the first and last day; as, from Sunday to
Sunday there are six clear days.
Clear stuff, boards, planks, etc., free from knots.
Syn: Manifest; pure; unmixed; pellucid; transparent;
luminous; obvious; visible; plain; evident; apparent;
distinct; perspicuous. See Manifest.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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