[clear] adj [ME clere, fr. OF cler, fr. L clarus clear, bright; akin to L calare to call--more at low] (13c) 1 a: bright, luminous b: cloudless; specif: less than one-tenth covered "a ~ sky" c: free from mist, haze, or dust "a ~ day" d: untroubled, serene "a ~ gaze"
2: clean, pure: as a: free from blemishes b: easily seen through: transparent c: free from abnormal sounds on auscultation 3 a: easily heard b: easily visible: plain c: free from obscurity or ambiguity: easily understood: unmistakable
4. a: capable of sharp discernment: keen b: free from doubt: sure
5: free from guile or guilt: innocent
6: unhampered by restriction or limitation: as a: unencumbered by debts or charges b: net "a ~ profit" c: unqualified, absolute d: free from obstruction e: emptied of contents or cargo f: free from entanglement g: bare, denuded -- clear.ness n syn clear, transparent, translucent, limpid mean capable of being seen through. clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness "clear water". transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly "a transparent sheet of film". translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond "translucent frosted glass". limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water "her eyes were limpid pools of blue". syn clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood. clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity "clear instructions". perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear "a perspicuous style". lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement "a lucid explanation". syn see in addition evident
[2]clear adv (14c) 1: in a clear manner "to cry loud and ~"
2: all the way "drove ~ across the state" [3]clear vt (14c) 1 a: to make clear or translucent b: to free from pollution or cloudiness
2: to free from accusation or blame: exonerate, vindicate "the opportunity to ~ himself" 3 a: to give insight to: enlighten b: to make intelligible: explain "~ up the mystery"
4. a: to free from what obstructs or is unneeded: as (1): open 1b "~ a path" (2): to remove unwanted growth or items from "~ the land of timber" (3): to rid or make a rasping noise as if ridding (the throat) of phlegm (4): to erase stored or displayed data from (as a computer or calculator) b: to empty of occupants "~ the room" c: disentangle "~ a fishing line" d: to remove from an area or place "~ the dishes from the table" e: transmit, dispatch
5. a: to submit for approval "~ it with me first" b: authorize, approve "~ed the article for publication": as (1): to certify as trustworthy "~ a person for classified information" (2): to permit (an aircraft) to proceed usu. with a specified action
6. a: to free from obligation or encumbrance b: settle, discharge "~ an account" c (1): to free (a ship or shipment) by payment of duties or harbor fees (2): to pass through (customs) d: to gain without deduction: net "~ a profit" e: to put through a clearinghouse
7. a: to go over, under, or by without touching b: pass "the bill ~ed the legislature" ~ vi 1 a: to become clear "it ~ed up quickly after the rain" b: to go away: vanish "the symptoms ~ed gradually" c: sell
2. a: to obtain permission to discharge cargo b: to conform to regulations or pay requisite fees prior to leaving port
3: to pass through a clearinghouse
4: to go to an authority (as for approval) before becoming effective -- clear.able adj -- clear.er n -- clear the air also clear the atmosphere : to remove elements of hostility, tension, confusion, or uncertainty "had a long meeting to clear the air" -- clear the decks : to make sweeping preparations for action [4]clear n (1674) 1: a clear space or part
2: a high arcing shot over an opponent's head in badminton -- in the clear 1: in inside measurement
2: free from guilt or suspicion
3: in plaintext: not in code or cipher "a message sent in the clear"