clarifyv.
/ˈklarɪfʌɪ/ To make clear, to clear.† 1. † 2. figurative. To make illustrious or glorious; to exalt, glorify. [Chiefly representing clārificāre of the Vulgate.] † 5. To set forth clearly, declare. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To free from darkness or gloom; to light up, illumine; to brighten. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > illumination > illuminate [verb (transitive)]
onlighteOE
enlightOE
alemeOE
alightOE
lightOE
belighta1200
lightena1382
clear1382
alightenc1384
lumine1387
clarify1398
shine1398
shed1412
beamc1430
enlymec1440
illumine1447
enlumine1481
illustre1490
enclear1509
elumine1532
illuminate1535
unshadow1550
illightena1555
allumine1570
eluminate1580
unnight1594
enlighten1595
to strike up1598
illume1604
luminate1623
illustrate1625
unbenight1629
emblaze1637
burn1712
alluminate1726
lamp1808
enkindle1870
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvi. lxx. (Tollem. MS.) Pouder þerof confecte in hony clarefyeþ and hyȝteþ þe face [1495 claryfyeth and maketh the face fayr].
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) As Phebus..the day doth clarefie.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iv. 65 Phœbus dyd clarifye brightlye Thee world with luster.
a1592 R. Greene Comicall Hist. Alphonsus (1599) iii. sig. D4 Thou second sun..Doest clarifie each corner of the earth.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth iv. 255 The Light had been..clarifying this dark and thick Atmosphere for more than five compleat Years.
b. figurative. To make clear (an obscure subject).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > interpretation > interpret [verb (transitive)]
unloukOE
areadOE
spele?c1225
inredec1315
expounda1340
construe1399
interpretate1517
explain1538
scan1562
disentraverse1610
unspherea1616
explicate1628
spell1635
disenvelop1741
extract1775
interpret1795
clarify1823
read1847
to read between the lines1866
1823 Monthly Rev. 100 529 The subject is so little exhausted, and the learning of M. Champollion is so well adapted to clarify its obscurity, that, etc.
1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. §13. 50 It cannot but greatly simplify and clarify the subject.
1865 J. S. Mill Exam. Hamilton's Philos. 522 Mathematical and scientific studies, which his subsequent metaphysical pursuits enabled him..to clarify and reduce to principles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [verb (transitive)] > glorify
clarifya1340
glorify1340
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > majesty, glory, or grandeur > exaltation or glorification > exalt or glorify [verb (transitive)]
heavec825
higheOE
brightenOE
clarifya1340
glorifya1340
enhancec1374
stellifyc1384
biga1400
exalt?a1400
raisea1400
shrinea1400
to bear up?a1425
enhighc1440
erect?a1475
assumec1503
amount1523
dignifya1530
to set up1535
extol1545
enthronize1547
augment1567
sublimate?1567
sublime1568
assumptc1571
begoda1576
royalize1589
suscitate1598
swell1601
consecrate1605
realize1611
reara1616
sphere1615
ingreata1620
superexalta1626
soara1627
ascend1628
rise1628
embroider1629
apotheose1632
grandize1640
engreaten1641
engrandizea1652
mount1651
intronificate1653
magnificent1656
superposit1661
grandify1665
heroify1677
apotheosize1695
enthrone1699
aggrandize1702
pantheonize1801
hoist1814
princify1847
queen1880
heroize1887
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > biblical events > [verb (transitive)] > transfigure or glorify
clarifya1340
transfigurec1380
transmake1909
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xix. 1 Day of anguys in the whilke þou sayd fadere clarifie þi sun.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Esdras viii. 25 Blessid be the Lord God of oure fadris, that ȝaf this wil in to the herte of the king, to clarifien his hous, that is in Jerusalem.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xii. 27 Fadir, clarifie thi name... I haue clarified, and eft I schal clarifie.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 27/2 Whan Jhesu cryst was baptysed and also whan he was clarefyed.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. viii. 113 It was necessary his person should be..so clarified by great concurrencies..as might gain credit to the testimony he was to give.
3.
a. To make pure and clear, or clean (physically, also morally); to free from all impurities; to clear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > remove impurities from [verb (transitive)]
mereeOE
spurge1303
fine1340
sendre1340
purea1350
purgec1350
purifya1398
depurea1400
clarifyc1430
expurge1483
defecatec1487
subtiliate1551
refine?1572
neatify1581
distil1599
sublimate1601
sweeten1601
depurate1620
infresh1635
lustre1645
lustrate1653
freshen1710
chasten1715
epurate1799
enchastena1806
dispollute1862
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 40 It clarifieþ þi soule.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 442/3 Lord I praye the that the..precious blood that I haue taken..wyl in suche manere clarefye that none ordure or fylthe..may remayne or abyde wythin me.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. i. sig. Aivv The fire, whiche is the most pure of elementes..doth clarifie the other inferiour elementes.
1589 T. Nashe Anat. Absurditie sig. B The water is cleane, and of nature fitte to clarifie euerie part of the body.
1652 Persuasive to Compliance 37 If the possession of the Crowne..expunge the grossest spots yet found in any that wore it; may it not as well clarifie a republick from any imputation?
1683 J. Pettus Fleta Minor (1686) i. 162 It [nitre] is first to be clarified and purified from its salt.
1793 ‘P. Pindar’ Poet. Epist. to Pope 14 Heav'n wants not fire to clarify the dead.
b. spec. To make clear and pure (a liquid or liquefied substance); to render pellucid; to free from all impurities or extraneous matters held in suspension; to defecate or fine. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [verb (transitive)] > make clear
clarifyc1430
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > clarifying liquids > clarify [verb (transitive)]
clarifyc1430
defecatec1487
flay1530
settle1599
serene1708
c1430 15th C. Cookery Bks. 35 Take fayre Honey, and clarifi yt on þe fyre tylle it wexe hard.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 433 Poured out of one vessell into another, and so by setling clarified from the grounds.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State ii. xviii. 116 Their Yeomen are excluded from ever rising higher to clarifie their bloods.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 74 Tincture of Brasil wood..in luke-warm water, filter it, and clarifie it.
1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. Compl. Hist. Druggs I. 141 Strain, clarifie with the White of an Egg, and thicken.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper ii. 40 To clarify Butter.
1843 J. A. Smith Productive Farming (ed. 2) 35 A substitute for the white of eggs in clarifying the juice of the sugar-cane.
c. To clear (the air or atmosphere); to free from mists and vapours. Also figurative and transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > [verb (transitive)] > make clear
clarify1620
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > make free of hindrances or encumberment
smooth1582
disclog1611
uncloga1616
unhamper1648
disembarrass1726
debarrass1789
distrammel1856
disentrammel1866
clarify1876
1620 T. Venner Via Recta Introd. 5 The sunne..doth excellently clarifie, and purge the aire of them.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda IV. viii. lviii. 532 The occasional rare sound of hoofs and wheels seeming to clarify the succeeding silence.
1879 J. McCarthy Hist. Own Times I. 16 The country was in general disposed to think that the accession of a woman to the throne would somewhat clarify and purify the atmosphere of the Court.
1884 Christian World 10 Apr. 268/5 Mr. Gladstone's speech..and the decisive vote that followed, have wonderfully clarified the political atmosphere.
d. figurative. To clear (the mind, etc.) from ignorance, misconception, or error; to rectify.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)]
arecchec885
unloukOE
overrunOE
sutelec1000
trahtnec1000
unfolda1050
belayc1175
openc1175
onopena1200
accountc1300
undo?a1366
remenea1382
interpret1382
unwrap1387
exploitc1390
enlumine1393
declarec1400
expoundc1400
unplait?c1400
enperc1420
planea1425
clearc1440
exponec1440
to lay outc1440
to give (also carry) lightc1449
unwind1482
expose1483
reducea1500
manifest1530
explicate1531
explaina1535
unlock?1536
dilucidate1538
elucidate1538
illustrate1538
rechec1540
explicate1543
illucidate1545
enucleate1548
unsnarl1555
commonstrate1563
to lay forth1577
straighten1577
unbroid1577
untwist1577
decipherc1586
illuminate1586
enlighten1587
resolvec1592
cipher1594
eliquidate1596
to take (a person) with one1599
rivelc1600
ravel1604
unbowel1606
unmist1611
extricate1614
unbolta1616
untanglea1616
enode1623
unperplexa1631
perspicuate1634
explata1637
unravel1637
esclarea1639
clarify1642
unweave1642
detenebrate1646
dismystery1652
undecipher1654
unfork1654
unparadox1654
reflect1655
enodate1656
unmysterya1661
liquidatea1670
recognize1676
to clear upa1691
to throw sidelight on1726
to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731
eclaircise1754
irradiate1864
unbraid1880
predigest1905
to get (something) straight1920
disambiguate1960
demystify1963
society > communication > information > enlightenment > enlighten [verb (transitive)] > undeceive
to bring (a person) to reasona1400
to set (also put) someone right1551
unhoodwink1585
undeceive1598
unbeguile1599
disabuse1611
disdeceive1622
disinveigle1635
clarify1642
unconfound1649
uncheat1650
undelude1651
ungull1652
unpervert1655
unseduce1664
unbewilder1668
unclouda1711
disillude1860
disillusionize1861
disillusion1864
de-bamboozle1919
straighten1956
1642 T. Fuller Holy State ii. xvi. 110 Many boyes are muddy-headed till they be clarified with age.
1659 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) III. 108 Hope that God..will at last compassionate our infirmities, clarify our judgments.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1776 II. 68 [Johnson:] He never clarified his notions, by filtrating them through other minds.
1851 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1864) 2nd Ser. viii. 109 A pure life will clarify the intellect.
1869 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. European Morals I. ii. 342 By these means he endeavoured to clarify the popular creed.
4. To make clear (the sight, eyes, or mental vision); to clear (the voice, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > types of vision > [verb (transitive)] > make sight clear
clarify1509
cleara1616
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > impart specific tone or quality [verb (transitive)] > clear the voice
clarify1509
clear1701
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > inspiration or revelation > inspire [verb (transitive)]
inblowc975
inspirea1340
illuminec1340
enlightenc1384
reveal?a1425
aspire1532
illuminatea1538
clarify1631
1509 H. Watson tr. S. Brant Shyppe of Fooles (1517) sig. Miii Claryfye here your syghte.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 12 To clarifie ye voice, and to helpe them that be hoarse.
1585 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Health (new ed.) sig. C viij Oyle of Cartamus..of sisami, do clarifie the voice.
1631 F. Quarles Hist. Samson 66 Lord; clarifie mine eyes, that I may know Things that are good.
a1853 F. W. Robertson Lect. (1858) 208 A man's eyes..clarified by the power which enables him to look beyond the visible.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] > clearly or explicitly
clarifyc1420
representc1443
define1535
express1600
to lay (or put) it on the line1954
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 617 To claryfy þe powere of Goddus myȝt.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxix. 395 From heuen till erth thou me sent, Thi name to preche and claryfy.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ix. 86 A word to you I wold cleryfy.
6. intransitive (for reflexive). To be made or become clear; to clear, in various senses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear
clarify1599
despume1609
despumate1733
1599 A. M. tr. O. Gaebelkhover Bk. Physicke 158/1 Let this stande a whole night because it might settle, and clarify.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 157 His Wits and Vnderstanding doe clarifie and breake vp, in..discoursing with Another.
1753 J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea I. lvii. 384 Springs of hot water..very thick..but it soon clarifies.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 626 The heat is then withdrawn, and the liquid left to clarify.
1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows (1886) 142 Emerson..has clarified steadily towards perfection of style.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
v.a1340