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单词 clear
释义

clearadj.adv.n.

Brit. /klɪə/, U.S. /klɪ(ə)r/
Forms: Middle English cler, (Middle English clier, clyre, clyer), Middle English–1600s clere, Middle English–1700s cleer, Middle English–1600s cleere, (Middle English clure, 1500s cleir, clar), 1500s–1600s cleare, (1700s–1800s dialect clair), 1500s– clear.
Etymology: Middle English cler , < Old French cler (11–16th cent.; 14th– clair ), corresponding to Provençal clar , Spanish claro , Italian chiaro < Latin clārum bright, clear, manifest, plain, brilliant, illustrious, famous, etc. Senses A. 1 – A. 13 were already present in French; the further developments of the sense are peculiar to English, and partly due to association with the native word clean n., the earlier domain of which has been largely occupied by clear , while in various uses the two are still synonymous. But the now predominant notion of ‘unencumbered, free, rid’ is a further development, not found in clean n.
A. adj.
I. Of light, colour, things illuminated.
1.
†a. originally. Expressing the vividness or intensity of light: Brightly shining, bright, brilliant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > bright
shininga900
lighteOE
lightlyOE
sheenOE
torhtOE
shirea1000
steepa1000
shimmeringc1000
brightOE
strongOE
clear1297
fair?a1300
bright-shininga1387
merrya1393
skirea1400
lucident14..
shimc1400
staringc1400
luculentc1420
splendent1474
illuminousc1485
lucentc1500
bloominga1522
sheer1565
prelucent1568
faculent1575
splendant1578
lucid1591
neat1591
shine1596
translucent1596
well-lighted1606
nitid1615
lucible1623
dilucid1653
translucid1657
hard1660
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 416 Ther come..a leme swythe cler & bryȝte.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 129 The first sterre Aldeboran, the clerest and the most of alle.
?a1430 T. Hoccleve Mother of God l. 29 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 53 O blessid lady, the cleer light of day!
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 210 The lyghte of the sonne is moche more clerer then the lyghte of the morow tyde.
1611 Bible (King James) Song of Sol. vi. 10 Faire as the moone, cleare as the sunne. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 844 And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass Gaz'd hot. View more context for this quotation
b. Now expressing the purity or uncloudedness of light; clear fire, a fire in full combustion without flame or smoke. Also used with adjectives, as clear white, clear brown, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adjective] > without cloudiness
sheen?1504
clear1611
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xxiii. 4 The tender grasse springing out of the earth by cleare shining after raine. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. i. 227 This instant Clowd..Darkning my cleere Sunne. View more context for this quotation
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery i. 6 Take Care your Fire is clear.
1815 W. Wordsworth White Doe of Rylstone vii. 116 A Doe most beautiful, clear-white.
1888 Cassell's Dict. Cookery Introd. 17 If a cook..has a good clear fire.
1889 N.E.D. at Clear Mod. This oil burns with a clearer flame.
figurative.1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 316 The nature of an action of ejectment..would appear in a clearer light.
2.
a. Of the day, daylight, etc.: Fully light, bright; opposed to dusk or twilight. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [adjective] > broad daylight
clearc1320
broad1393
daylighty1860
c1320 Sir Beues 755 A morwe, whan hit was dai cler, Ariseþ kniȝt and squier.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 267/1 He endyted the lettre by clere day.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xiv. 36 Spoyle them tyll it be cleare mornynge, that we let none escape.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Amos viii. B I shall cause..the londe to be darcke in the cleare daye.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 100 It was done in the cleare day light.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 209 Come away, it is almost cleere dawne. View more context for this quotation
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxiv. 408 Bear not daylight clear upon immortality breathing.
†b. Of the weather: originally. Full of sunshine, bright, ‘fine’; serene, ‘fair’. Obsolete. (Cf. to clear up.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective]
fairOE
merry1214
clearc1384
well-disposed1477
fine1595
blue-sky1852
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xvi. 2 Ȝe seien, It shal be cleer, for the heuene is lijk to reed.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. iii. 17 And abouen at the cop of the hille [Athos] is the Eir so cleer that men may fynde no wynd there.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 81 Clere, as wedur ys bryghte, clarus, serenus.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 210 The weather was fayre, cleere, and temperate.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 273 There fell a great raine..with a terrible thunder:..Then anone the ayre began to waxe cleare, and the sonne to shine fayre and bright.
1633 T. James Strange Voy. 78 It was pretty and cleere.
c. Now: Free from cloud, mists, and haze; a ‘clear day’, ‘clear weather’ is that in which the air is transparent so that distant objects are distinctly seen; a ‘clear sky’, a sky void of cloud.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective] > clear
clear1297
ambient1763
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 41 Þat heo myȝte oft y se, in cler weder, þere Est ward, as þe sonne a ros, a lond as yt were.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 35 Now cloudy and now clere it is.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 276 If the day had bene clere, there had not escaped a man.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. vii. 86 We commonly find it Cloudy over the Land, tho' 'tis clear every where beside.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 278 Their remains continue still visible at the bottom of the water in a clear day.
1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. ix. 141 A clear frosty evening.
d. figurative. Serene, cheerful; of unclouded countenance or spirit. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [adjective]
sorrowlessOE
carelessa1000
restful1340
clearc1374
unsada1450
undiseased?c1450
unoffendedc1450
undistroubled1466
frank1477
unvexed1485
quiet1535
secure1545
griefless1552
trouble-void1559
woeless1568
undistressed1582
tearless1603
cocksure1613
undejected1613
undisquieted1627
uncareful1635
serene1640
indisconsolatea1645
trouble-free1648
catastematic1656
thoughtless1659
incruciated1661
easy1692
undepressed1697
unsufferinga1732
ungloomed1737
solute1742
unanxious1742
undarkened1742
unsighinga1743
comfortable1770
unharassed1796
unworried1818
gloomless1820
ungroaning1821
unpestered1824
ungrieving1837
troubleless1838
unsaddened?c1840
untrespassed1854
unannoyed1865
unfretted1870
fretless1878
worriless1889
stress-free1898
unstressed1927
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. iv. 45 Þou..shalt leden a cleer age.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 208/4 Paule..enduryng in agonye and alle wey apperid clere.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 60 You, the murtherer, looke as bright, as cleere, As yonder Venus. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 336 Sternly he pronounc'd The rigid interdiction..but soon his cleer aspect Return'd. View more context for this quotation
1757 G. Shelvocke, Jr. Shelvocke's Voy. round World (ed. 2) ii. 76 Enough to cast a damp upon the clearest spirits.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iii. x. 201 His brow grew as clear as the blue sky above him.
3.
a. Allowing light to pass through, transparent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > transparency or translucence > [adjective]
shireOE
brightOE
through-shineOE
cleanc1040
cleara1400
transparent1413
crystalc1425
crystallinec1425
crystal-clear?a1439
pure1481
perspicuatea1500
beryl1508
through-shining1526
diaphane1561
thorough-seeable1562
pellucid1563
sheer1565
translucent1568
liquid1590
tralucent?1592
perspicuous1599
thorough light1601
diaphanic1614
diaphanous1614
perspicable1615
translucid1615
diaphanal1616
lucid1620
diaphaned1626
transpicuous1638
perlucid1647
dioptrical1760
dioptric1801
unconcealing1804
see-through1851
pellucent1886
pool-clear1924
the world > matter > liquid > water > [adjective] > properties or characteristics of water > pure or clear
livingeOE
fairOE
purec1300
cleara1400
skirea1400
crystalc1425
lucent1820
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 11705 A well vte-brast, wid strem suete, clere, and cald.
c1400–50 Alexander 2541 Clerire [v.r. clerar] þan cristall.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Epitome sig. A A cleere looking glasse rendreth a liuely and perfect representation.
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft xiii. xix. 316 Diuerse sorts of glasses;..the coloured and cleare glasses.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 458 To look into the cleer Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie. View more context for this quotation
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vi, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 39 The harbour-bay was clear as glass.
b. Of coloured liquids, etc.; Translucent, pellucid, free from sediment, not turbid or opaque.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [adjective] > qualities of liquid > clear or translucent
finec1440
clear1483
limpid1609
1483 Cath. Angl. 66 Clere as ale or wyne.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §378 A Bottle of Beer..became more lively, better tasted and clearer than it was.
1740 G. Smith tr. Laboratory (ed. 2) App. p. ix [A] tub, ready at hand with a clear lee.
1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 29 A Dozen or two of good clear Wine.
1747 J. Wesley Primitive Physick p. xviii Drink..good clear Small-beer.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxiii. 55 Real fresh genuine port wine..clear as a bell, and no sediment.
4.
a. Bright or shining, as polished illuminated surfaces; lustrous. (Now expressing esp. purity and evenness of lustre.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [adjective] > lustrous or shining with reflected light
browna1000
brightOE
cleara1300
slighta1300
burnedc1384
burnishedc1400
orientc1400
orientalc1450
sheeningc1480
refulgenta1500
silken1513
lustrantc1550
glossy1556
crisp1567
lustring1582
shiny1590
of shine1601
glossful1606
lustry1610
lustrousa1616
nitent1616
illustriousa1626
polished1649
lustrious1651
sheeny1673
shining1674
splendy1683
glazy1724
smolt1837
lustreful1843
lustred1858
sheened1920
a1300 Fragm. Pop. Sc. (Wright) 84 The mone..bileveth cler towards the sonne, thother del al blac.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 28 Tuenti pounde of gold be ȝere, þre hundreth of siluer clere.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 167 Gold þet þe more hit is ine uere: þe more hit is clene, and clyer, and tretable.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. xxix A croune cumly..clure to behold.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 39 His good swerd that was clere and trenchaunt.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 192 The teeth..are as white and clear as Ivorie.
1753 W. Stewart in Scots Mag. Mar. 133/2 A dark-coloured coat with clear buttons.
1841 R. W. Emerson Spiritual Laws in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 157 His eye is as clear as the heavens.
†b. gen. Bright, splendid, brilliant. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > and splendid
wlonkOE
clear1362
wlonkfulc1400
royalc1425
imperial?1435
magnificousa1474
splendidious?a1475
triumphant1494
glorious1622
aureate1625
candid1648
splendid1653
magnifico1654
magnificent1664
dazzling1749
splendiferous1827
angeliferous1837
million-dollar1854
purple1894
colossal1895
(like) a million dollars (also bucks)1911
swell1926
the world > matter > light > reflection > [adjective] > lustrous or shining with reflected light > brilliantly
clear1362
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vi. 75 A Court Cleer as þe Sonne.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xxvi. 12 Thi ful clere [L. praeclaras] housis.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Jam. ii. 3 Clothid with ful cleer [L. praeclara] clooth.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Lucrece. 1825 This lady..al discheuele with hire herys cleere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 8917 Sende was þere an aungel clere And vp to heuen her soule bere.
?c1410 Sir Cleges 365 Sir Cleges..schewed the kynge the cheryse clere.
figurative.a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. vi. 13 Wisdam is cler [1611 glorious], and that neuere welewith.a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 411 Þe monkes..were of cleer religioun [L. splendidæ religionis] in God.
†c. A common epithet of women: Beautiful, beauteous, fair. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective] > specifically of persons
faireOE
sheenOE
brightOE
(the) sheenc1275
belc1314
pertc1330
quaintc1330
gaya1350
beau1399
formose14..
clearc1420
beautiful1509
venust1513
venereal1598
rare-beautied?1614
venerial1661
seraphic1765
nymphish1789
hyacinthine1847
bloomful1890
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 116 Both erlys and harnesse and ladyes cler.
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 56 Vp þei baren þat maiden cleere.
a1440 Sir Degrev. 1550 The bold bachylere Toke the damysele clere.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. iv. 94 Manthus the lady cleir.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball vi. i. 656 The cleare and pleasant Venus.
d. Of the complexion, skin, etc.: Bright, fresh, and of pure colour; blooming; in modern use, esp. implying purity or transparency of the surface skin, and absence of freckles, discolouring spots, or ‘muddiness’ of complexion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > complexion > [adjective]
(fair) of flesh and fellc1000
cleara1400
coloureda1400
well-complexioned1483
complexioned1615
complexionary1656
fresh-faced1766
complected1806
complexional1820
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7365 In visage es he bright and clere.
c1440 York Myst. xxx. 41 The coloure of my corse is full clere.
?1594 H. Constable Diana (new ed.) iv. x. sig. D4v Maid of cleere mould.
1633 Campion's Hist. Ireland i. vi. 17 Cleare men they are of Skinne and hue.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife i. 8 Without Vanity I look'd extreamly clear last night, when I went to the Park.
1801 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 5 360 Persons of delicate fibres, of smooth, lax, and clear skin.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey III. v. iii. 61 His complexion was clear, but quite olive.
†5. figurative. Illustrious. [So Latin clārus.] Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [adjective]
mereeOE
athelOE
couthOE
brightOE
namecundc1175
outnumenc1175
noble?c1225
ketec1275
sheenc1275
tirfulc1275
glorious13..
losedc1305
of great renownc1330
glorifieda1340
worthly or worthy in wonea1350
clearc1374
nameda1382
solemna1387
renomeda1393
famous?a1400
renomé?a1400
renowneda1400
notedc1400
of (great, high, etc.) name?c1430
celebrate?1440
namely1440
famosec1449
honourable?c1450
notedc1450
parent?c1450
glorificatec1460
heroical?a1475
insignite?a1475
magnific1490
well-fameda1492
exemie1497
singular1497
preclare1503
magnificential1506
laureate1508
illustre?a1513
illustred1512
magnificent1513
preclared1530
grand1542
celebrated1549
heroicc1550
lustrantc1550
magnifical1557
illustrate1562
expectablec1565
ennobled1571
laurel1579
nominated1581
famosed1582
perspicuous1582
big1587
famed1595
uplifted1596
illustrious1598
celebrousc1600
luculent1600
celebrious1604
fameful1605
famoused1606
renownful1606
bruitful1609
eminent1611
insignious1620
clarousa1636
far-fameda1640
top1647
grandee1648
signalized1652
noscible1653
splendid1660
voiced1661
gloried1671
laurelled1683
distinguished1714
distinct1756
lustrious1769
trumpeted1775
spiry1825
world-famous1832
galactic1902
tycoonish1958
mega1987
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. ii. ii. 36 Wiþ noble or clere honours.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Judith xvi. 16 A gret God thou art, and beforn alle cleer in thi vertue.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Macc. ii. 17 Thou art prince, and most cleer.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 89 He hade mony clere victories.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 83/2 Judith retorned..and was made more grete and cleer to alle men.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 73 Thinke that the cleerest Gods, who made their honours Of mens impossibilities, haue preserued thee. View more context for this quotation
II. Of vision, perception, discernment.
6. Of lines, marks, divisions: Clearly seen, distinct, well-marked, sharp.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adjective] > clearly visible > sharp or distinct
graphical1626
smart1644
sharp1675
vivid1690
briska1727
unblurred1809
vive1825
clear1835
shadeless1835
film-free1880
eidetic1924
crisp1937
deblurred1968
1835 W. Irving Tour on Prairies 230 A prairie..extending in a clear blue line along the horizon.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. vi. xvi. 159 The leaves covered with notes and remarks, in a stiff clear hand.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 22 Dividing a nation into two clear divisions.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 128 [Coins] with a low but sharp and clear impression.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 2 Traced out in clear outline.
7.
a. Of words, statements, explanations, meaning: Easy to understand, fully intelligible, free from obscurity of sense, perspicuous.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > clarity > [adjective]
plaina1398
cleara1400
luminousc1450
lightsome1532
perspiculous1565
perspicuous1570
luculent1597
dilucida1640
limpid1649
dilucidate1651
elucidatea1670
dilucidated1759
lucid1786
pellucid1831
chiselleda1862
transpicuous1877
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11615 Þan com þe propheci al cler.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 26 Þat þus of clannesse vn-closez a ful cler speche.
1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xiii. f. xlviiiv The clere fayth and sentence of all the holy doctours.
1615 W. Bedwell tr. Mohammedis Imposturæ iii. §108 The words are cleare and plaine.
1688 J. Bunyan Good News for Vilest of Men 10 The Text is as clear as the Sun; for it saith, ‘Begin at Jerusalem’.
1751 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) I. v. 84 The Ten Commandments therefore are clear.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 615 How was it possible to draw up a statute in language clearer than the language of the statutes which required that the dean of Christ Church should be a Protestant?
1860 M. F. Maury Physical Geogr. Sea (ed. 8) xii. §540 Having..made clear the meaning of the question proposed.
1878 J. P. Hopps Princ. Relig. xvii. 55 Man himself is the clearest revelation of his Maker.
b. Also transferred to the speaker or writer.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > clarity > [adjective] > of persons
plain1555
perspicuous1593
clear1711
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 165. ¶1 The English cannot be too clear in their Narrative of those Actions.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues II. 268 If I have made myself clear, you will understand my original meaning.
c. Not in cipher or code. Often absol., in clear.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > code, cipher > [adjective] > not
uncoded1885
clear1928
1928 P. B. Thomas Secret Messages iii. 13 Taking the letters in the message or ‘clear text’ successively, F was substituted for T.
1930 Notes & Queries 23 Aug. 144/1 A long letter in numerical cipher, which, since he does not give it in clear, apparently still awaits decipherment.
1932 D. L. Sayers Have his Carcase xxviii. 367 The code pair [of letters] and the clear pair have a letter in common.
1932 D. L. Sayers Have his Carcase xxviii. 368 The letter E appears both in code and clear.
1966 M. R. D. Foot SOE in France viii. 205 These forms—in clear—were as a rule kept in Girard's study.
d. clear as daylight.
ΚΠ
1700 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding (new ed.) ii. xxxiii. 221 A worthy Man, who yields not to the Evidence of Reason, though laid before him as clear as Day-light.
1862 Darwin in Life & Lett. (1887) I. 187 His Lectures on Botany were..as clear as daylight.
8. Of a vision, conception, notion, view, memory, etc.: Distinct, unclouded, free from confusion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > [adjective] > capable of being perceived > clearly
cleara1398
strong1597
vivid1690
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. v. 66 Briȝt and clere knowyng of God.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Biv To haue the contemplacion and clere vision of that moste blessed face.
1679 J. Goodman Penitent Pardoned (1713) iii. v. 346 Clear and satisfying notion of this separate state.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xxviii. 163 Our simple Ideas are clear, when they are such as the Objects themselves, from whence they were taken, did, in a well-ordered Sensation or Perception, present them.
1826 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. iii. 144 His notions of law and government are extremely clear.
1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. vi. 97 A clear remembrance of Bill Foster's crimes.
9.
a. Manifest to the mind or judgement, evident, plain.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adjective]
sutelc897
openeOE
ebera975
graithc1325
broadc1374
plainc1375
clearc1380
grossc1380
manifest1385
notoire1409
patent1508
sensible?1531
discovered1537
plain as a pikestaff (also packstaff, pad-staff)1542
palpable1545
demonstrative1552
plain as the nose on (in) one's face1560
illustrate1562
appearing1566
notorious1581
obvious1583
unshadowed1593
transparent1597
liquid1610
visible1614
pellucid1644
illustrious1654
apertive1661
conspectable1727
suggestive1806
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > evident certainty > [adjective]
witterc1175
apert1340
clearc1380
plainc1395
apparentc1400
demonstrablea1425
demonstrate1509
sensible?1531
explicit1623
apodicticala1638
demonstrated1646
apodictic1652
flat1665
decided1757
distinct1828
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 55 It is cleer þat prelatis þat prechen not þus þe gospel louen not crist.
c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 581 Euidens, cler opyn.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iii. i. 126 Vnto God..they are cleere and manyfest.
1636 P. Massinger Great Duke of Florence iv. ii. sig. H2 'Tis cleare as ayre That your ambitious hopes..gave connivence to it.
1794 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity I. i. ix. 234 This..letter, contains nearly forty clear allusions to books of the New Testament.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 246 No man was invited to the Upper House whose right to sit there was not clear.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 339 In the midst of the unreality, it became clear that one man at least was serious.
b. Of a case at law: Of which the solution is evident.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [adjective] > strong or clear (of case)
strong1641
clear1674
1674 S. Butler Hudibras (new ed.) iii. ii. 336 Quoth Hudibras, The case is cleer.
1805 E. H. East Rep. Cases King's Bench 5 335 The Court..thought the case too clear for further argument.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 473 This is not quite so clear a point as the other.
10. Of the eyes, and faculty of sight: Seeing distinctly, having keen perception.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > types of vision > [adjective] > clear- or sharp-sighted > clear or sharp (of sight)
piercinga1400
clear1576
stark1589
lynceous1592
unshadowed1593
lyncean1622
cleared1642
unbeclouded1707
aquiline1791
bird-clear1938
1576 A. Fleming tr. L. Lucceius in Panoplie Epist. 63 You, having so cleare and sharpe a sight.
1621–31 W. Laud Seven Serm. (1847) 4 The eye of the prophet was clear, and saw things farther off than the present.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 706 Your Eyes that seem so cleere, Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then Op'nd and cleerd. View more context for this quotation
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 7 His sight was exquisitely keen and clear.
11. Of the faculty of discernment: That sees, discerns, or judges without confusion of ideas.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > showing clarity of vision
clear1340
well-sighteda1529
clear-eyed1530
quick-sighted1542
thorough-seeing1556
quick-eyed1561
(a person) of a far fetch1574
sharpsighted1583
clear-sighted1586
perspicacious1640
far-sighted1641
clear-headed1709
pellucid1813
far-seeing1837
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 24 Clier wyt, wel uor to understonde.
a1400–50 Alexander 2372 Of witt clerest.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 81 Clere of wytt & vndyrstondy[n]ge, perspicax.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xii. sig. H8v Receiue a cleere vnderstanding.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Northampt. 300 A good Patriot, of a quick and clear spirit.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 42 The clearest Head, and the sincerest Heart.
1856 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. (ed. 3) I. i. 29 The faculty of reasoning correctly (or what is commonly called having a clear head).
a1862 H. T. Buckle Misc. Wks. (1872) I. 168 Clear thinkers always have a clear style.
12. Of persons: Having a vivid or distinct impression or opinion; subjectively free from doubt; certain, convinced, confident, positive, determined. Const. †in (an opinion, belief), †of (a fact), as to, on, about (a fact, course of action), for (a course of action); that. I am clear that = it is clear to me that. [So in 12th cent. French.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > [adjective]
sickerc1100
bolda1300
surec1330
trist1340
certain1362
traista1400
tresta1400
ensurec1430
suredc1450
absolute1483
firm1483
resolute1501
assured1523
satisfied1533
unperplexed1558
unblanked1570
resolved1577
secure1578
clear1604
constant1611
ungravelled1611
confidenta1616
definitea1616
fearless1634
decretory1651
positive1658
unbrangled1671
cocksure1672
convinced1685
reliant1702
unbewildereda1807
positivistic1893
hensure1929
tooting1932
1604 S. Hieron Preachers Plea in Wks. (1620) I. 500 I am cleere in it, that many then in that darkness did..‘See day at a very little hole’.
1628 B. Rudyerd Speech 28 Apr. (Harl. 1721 f. 197) I am clere wthout scruple that what wee have resolved is according to lawe.
1661 Pagitt's Heresiogr. (ed. 6) 208 He is so cleer..for the abolishing of the Jewes day, and the succeeding of the Lord's day.
1727 J. Asgill Metamorph. Man 27 His disciples were not so clear in their belief of him.
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 67 (Jam.) Dwell ye there? That of their dwelling ye're so very clair.
1769 Mrs. Harris in Lett. 1st Earl Malmesb. (1870) I. 179 I am not clear as to the particulars.
c1776 A. Murphy in G. Colman Posthumous Lett. (1820) 204 Of this I am clear that if it stood over to another year, it would be better than running any risk now.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1781 II. 376 We were, by a great majority, clear for the experiment.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §142 Being clear in the operation..I proceeded to the business without apprehension of difficulty.
1815 F. D'Arblayy Diary & Lett. (1846) VII. 181 About the middle of July—but I am not clear of the date.
1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) ii. 25 I..am not clear on the point.
1842 J. H. Newman Church of Fathers (ed. 2) 106 You may be clear..with whom it is fitting to hold communion.
1850 A. Alison Hist. Europe from French Revol. (new ed.) XII. lxxix. 78 Moreau..was clear for reverting to the constitution of 1792.
1853–9 T. B. Macaulay Biogr. (1860) Introd. 10 I am not clear that the object is a good one.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 763 I am not quite clear about the date.
1884 Manch. Examiner 21 May 5/1 As to the necessity of including Ireland in its scope he was clear.
III. Of sound.
13.
a. Of sounds, voice: Ringing, pure and well-defined, unmixed with dulling or interfering noises; distinctly audible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > audibility > [adjective] > clear
brightOE
clearc1300
breme1340
brisk1660
snellc1730
clear-cut1865
pellucid1952
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > clear
quickc1275
clearc1300
express?c1450
preclare?1553
light1620
precise1846
c1300 Beket 1097 In a visioun ther com A cler voiz.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. cxxxi. 1388 Þe voice is clere þat sowneþ wel and ryngeþ wiþoute eny hosenes.
?c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 61 Notes clere.
1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 188 And sang ballettis with michty notis clere.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. iii. 34 Crack my cleare voyce with sobs. View more context for this quotation
1655 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick i. 31 In the Tuning of your Voyce strive to have it cleare also.
1713 A. Pope Ode Musick 2 Hark! the Numbers, soft and clear, Gently steal upon the Ear.
1852 G. Dubourg Violin (ed. 4) ix. 349 His instruments give a round and clear tone from the first and second strings—but are dull on the third.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel III. ix. ix. 51 A clear, open, manly voice cried—.
b. Phonetics. Designating one of two varieties of lateral consonants (the other being called ‘dark’) (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > speech sound by place or organ > [adjective] > palatal
palatine1656
linguapalatal1668
palatal1668
palatic1669
linguopalatal1818
anterior1830
soft1832
mouillé1833
palato-dental1844
palatalized1872
palato-velar1895
postpalatal1898
medio-palatal1900
clear1918
alveolo-palatal1928
lamino-palatal1966
1918 D. Jones Outl. Eng. Phonetics ix. 45 In clear varieties of l the front of the tongue is raised in the direction of the hard palate, while in dark varieties of l the back of the tongue is raised in the direction of the soft palate. In other words, clear l-sounds have the resonance of front vowels, whereas dark l-sounds have the resonance of back vowels.
1962 A. C. Gimson Introd. Pronunc. Eng. v. 47 The so-called ‘clear’ [l] with a front vowel resonance.
IV. Of moral purity, innocence.
14. figurative from 3: Pure, guileless, unsophisticated.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > [adjective]
cleanlyc888
unwemmedc950
clean971
lightOE
whiteOE
unfiledc1200
shire?c1225
sheenc1275
wemlessc1275
undefouled13..
undefoileda1325
purec1330
unbleckedc1380
unfouledc1380
clear1382
impollutec1384
unblemishedc1400
undefiledc1400
unspottedc1400
virginc1400
spotless?a1430
immaculate1441
uncorruptc1450
unpollushed1490
intemeratea1492
incorrupted1529
unmaculate1535
impolluted1548
crystallinec1550
incorrupt1550
uncorrupted1565
undistained1565
unstained1573
entire1587
taintless1590
untainted1590
stainless1599
unsmirched1604
intemerated1608
indepravate1609
chastea1616
uncurseda1628
undishonested1631
untaint1638
Adamical1649
sincere1649
undebaucheda1656
unaccurseda1674
amiantal1674
unsoiled1699
unpolluted1732
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Pet. iii. 1 This secounde epistle, in which I stire ȝoure cleer [v.r. clene] soule in monestinge to gydere.
1636 H. Blount Voy. Levant 114 Nothing corrupts cleare wits more then desperate fortunes.
1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 22 in Justa Edouardo King Fame is the spurre that the clear spirit doth raise.
1791 E. Burke Appeal New to Old Whigs 84 Men of..clear honour.
1856 Trevelyan in G. O. Trevelyan Macaulay (1876) II. xv. 479 A life, every action of which was clear and transparent.
15.
a. Unspotted, unsullied; free from fault, offence, or guilt; innocent. Cf. clean adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > innocence > [adjective] > free from guilt
unguiltyc893
sacklessa1000
freeOE
unfakenOE
guiltlessc1175
unguiltlessc1330
innocent1382
cleana1400
unsakeda1400
clearc1400
faultlessa1535
unfaulty1548
crimeless1568
untaxablea1610
innoxious1623
c1400 Rom. Rose 5088 Fro foly Love to kepe hem clere.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxii. 200 A great company..who were also departed fro the felde with clere handes.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. Nn.iij Not a clere louer but a thefe.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. vii. 11 In all things yee haue approued your selues to be cleare in this matter. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. vii. 18 Duncane..hath bin So cleere in his great Office. View more context for this quotation
1659 Sir H. Vane in T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 271 Were not divers of them hanged? Was not that an argument that the rest are clear?
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 153 No: none are clear, And none than we more guilty.
b. Const. of, from.
ΚΠ
1549 Forme & Maner consecratyng Archebishoppes sig. A.iiii Vntill suche tyme as the partie accused, shall try himself clere of that cryme.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N4 Cleare she dide from blemish criminall.
1611 Bible (King James) Susanna 46 I am cleare [1535 Coverd. clene] from the blood of this woman. View more context for this quotation
1885 Bible (R.V.) Psalms xix. 13 I shall be clear from great transgression.
V. Of free, unencumbered condition.
16.
a. Of income, gain, etc.: Free from any encumbrance, liability, deduction, or abatement; unencumbered; net.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > deduction > [adjective] > free from deduction or remaining after deduction
clean1381
net1418
clearc1500
subtilec1503
neat1599
c1500 Debate Carpenter's Tools in Rev. Eng. Stud. (1987) 38 456 I schall hym helpe within þis ȝere To gete hym xx.ti merke clere.
1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes iv. f. 184 My executors, to whom I bequeath the rest of my cleare goodes.
1625 C. Burges New Discouery Personal Tithes 1 The Tenth part of all his cleere Gaines.
1696 T. Southerne Oroonoko i. i A clear estate, no charge upon it.
1727 J. Swift Horace Imitated in J. Swift Misc. Last Vol. iii. 33 I often wish'd, that I had clear For life, six hundred pounds a year.
1817 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 4 Jan. 21 It was a clear thousand a year for doing little or nothing!
1833 H. Martineau Berkeley the Banker i. iv. 80 It seems to be a clear loss to use them unproductively.
†b. Sheer, mere, bare, unaided. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > state or quality of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded > [adjective] > without addition or qualification > bare or mere
mereeOE
nakedOE
barec1200
purec1325
singlec1421
very1548
nude1551
absolute?1570
blank1596
female1602
clear1606
1606 Bp. J. Hall Heauen vpon Earth x. 75 I haue seene one man by the helpe of a little engine lift vp that weight alone which fortie helping handes by their cleare strength might haue endeuored in vaine.
17. Free from all limitation, qualification, question, or shortcoming; absolute, complete; entire, pure, sheer. Cf. clean adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute
shirea1225
purec1300
properc1380
plainc1395
cleana1400
fine?a1400
entirec1400
veryc1400
starka1425
utterc1430
utterlyc1440
merec1443
absolute1531
outright1532
cleara1535
bloodyc1540
unproachable1544
flat1553
downright1577
sheer1583
right-down?1586
single1590
peremptory1601
perfecta1616
downa1625
implicit1625
every way1628
blank1637
out-and-outa1642
errant1644
inaccessional1651
thorough-paced1651
even down1654
dead1660
double-dyed1667
through stitch1681
through-stitched1682
total1702
thoroughgoing1719
thorough-sped1730
regular1740
plumb1748
hollow1751
unextenuated1765
unmitigated1783
stick, stock, stone dead1796
positive1802
rank1809
heart-whole1823
skire1825
solid1830
fair1835
teetotal1840
bodacious1845
raw1856
literal1857
resounding1873
roaring1884
all out1893
fucking1893
pink1896
twenty-four carat1900
grand slam1915
stone1928
diabolical1933
fricking1937
righteous1940
fecking1952
raving1954
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. sig. N.iiv Those christen countreyes..he..reckeoneth for cleare conquest, and vtterlye taketh for his owne.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 106 The cleare possession of all the realme of England to him and his heyres for euer.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 665 To sayle into Englande, for the cleere finishing of the same [a matrimonial alliance].
1640 R. Brome Sparagus Garden ii. iii I have foure hundred pounds sir; and I brought it up to towne on purpose to make my selfe a cleare gentleman of it.
1661 A. Marvell Let. 17 June in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 32 We are giuen to belieue by those who retard the Act of Indemnity, that it shall passe cleare.
1689 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum (ed. 2) xl. 296 For his more clearer satisfaction.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. viii. vi, in Wks. 239 You will find in all respects the clear contrary.
18.
a. Free from encumbering contact; disengaged, unentangled, out of reach, quite free; quit, rid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered > free from encumbering contact
clear1576
clear1659
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) III. 331 I am free and clear to debate.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Clear, as a naval term..is expressed of cordage, cables, &c. when they are..disentangled so as to be ready for..service. It is..opposed to foul.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 303 We slacked the ship astern until it [an iceberg] was quite clear ahead, and had placed itself across the bows.
b. with from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered > free from encumbering contact
clear1576
clear1659
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] > from encumbering contact
clear1576
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 125 That Trebianus may be set cleare from danger.
1693 J. Dryden Disc. conc. Satire in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires p. v He who is..clear from any [faults] in his own Writings.
1785 E. Burke Let. Ld. Thurlow in Corr. (1844) III. 36 My motives are clear from private interest.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 135 May I from shoals and from quicksands get clear!
c. with of. Quit, rid, free.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > devoid of something
nakedeOE
toomOE
windia1225
skerec1250
freea1325
expertc1374
unbeseen1390
vacanta1400
devoidc1400
indigent1490
waste1513
clear1569
divesta1679
viduate1692
innocent1706
divested1742
sincerea1754
virgin1889
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered > unburdened (by trouble, etc.)
quit?c1225
unburdened1548
clear1569
clear1635
quits1885
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > placed or kept at a distance > from each other
remote?1440
clear1720
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 389 Fearyng insurrection of the Commons, which were not all clere of their Melancholy.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iv. i. 4 Let me be cleere of thee. View more context for this quotation
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 263 We were clear of the Isles.
1733 A. Pope Of Use of Riches 14 Of debts and taxes, wife and children clear.
1866 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighbourhood ix. 135 Stooping..to get his gray head clear of the low archway.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 101 As soon as the house was clear of the representatives of the law.
d. In such phrases as to get or keep (oneself) clear, to steer clear, go clear, stand clear, the adjective passes at length into an adverb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > kept or placed at a distance apart
a-squarec1460
ysowndir1513
aloof1544
loof1558
aloof off?a1560
clear1600
large1670
abeighc1707
overhand1816
aloofly1891
remotely1897
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > [adverb] > avoiding or refraining from contact
clear1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 134 How to get cleere of all the debts I owe. View more context for this quotation
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vi. 18 On the instant they got cleere of our shyp. View more context for this quotation
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. xiii. 61 Cut any thing to get cleare.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. i. 3 These constant Trade-Winds usually blow..30 or 40 Leagues off at Sea, clear from any Land.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 38. ⁋4 To get clear of such a light Fondness for Applause.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 12 Mar. 2/2 If I can keep clear of these two Evils.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 293 We came clear of the Subarbs.
1725 D. Defoe Voy. round World (1840) 90 Twice she struck..but she did but touch, and went clear.
1737 Common Sense (1738) I. 25 The handsomest women..keep the clearest from these extravagancies.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 284 The Prize..soon after fell foul with her Head on our Starboard Quarter..however, we bore her off as well as we could, and she soon fell clear of us.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xi. 25 We got clear of the islands before sunrise.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. viii. vii. 342 He is safest from shoals who steers clearest of his—relations.
1866 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 1st Ser. 180 They sit perfectly clear of each other.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxvi. 430 Start clear on a new sort of life.
1885 Law Times 79 366/2 The curtains..will hang clear of the doors.
e. With noun of action.
ΚΠ
1704 Gentleman Instructed 75 Among the Lacedemonians, a clear theft [i.e. in which the thief got clear off] pass'd for a vertue.
1858 A. Trollope Dr. Thorne III. vii. 129 I want to ask you a few questions so as to make it all clear-sailing between us.
19. Of measurement of space or time: combining the notions of senses A. 17, A. 18.
a. Of distance. Cf. C. 5a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adjective] > in number or extent > of distances
clear1849
1849 C. Dickens David Copperfield (1850) iv. xiv A brook seventeen feet clear from side to side.
1889 N.E.D. at Clear Mod. The opening must measure 3 feet clear.
b. clear side (of a ship): see quot. 1873.
ΚΠ
1873 Act 36 & 37 Victoria c. 85 §4 The term ‘clear side’ means the height from the water to the upper side of the plank of the deck.
c. clear day or days: a day or days, with no part occupied or deducted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > a day or twenty-four hours > [adjective] > whole or entire
solid1718
clear day1868
1868 E. Yates Rock Ahead iii. vi There must be a clear day..before he could receive the reply.
1885 Law Times Reports (N.S.) LIII. 386/2 He is bound upon principle to allow refreshers for every clear day after five hours' hearing.
1885 Act 48 & 49 Victoria c. 80 §2 (b) Not less than six clear days notice of such meeting shall..[be] given.
20.
a. Free from obstructions or obstacles; unoccupied by buildings, trees, furniture, etc.; open.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective] > unobstructed
openeOE
roomOE
cleanc1405
clear1569
rid1866
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > open and unobstructed
openeOE
freec1230
faira1325
unstopped1398
clear1569
expedite1581
unpestered1588
accessible1602
accessive1611
rid1866
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 375 When they perceyued that all was cleere, they went forth.
1584 R. Greene Myrrour of Modestie sig. Avii Seing the coast cleere.
1694 J. Narborough Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) i. 67 There are several clear places in the Woods.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 256 It should be expos'd to the clear Air, in a place not shelter'd from the Wind.
1725 A. Pope Ess. Homer in Poems (1967) VII. 256 A clear stage is left for Jupiter to display his omnipotence.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine (at cited word) The sea-coast is called clear when the navigation is not interrupted, or rendered dangerous by rocks.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. ix. 212 The way was now clear to the Jordan.
1874 J. T. Micklethwaite Mod. Parish Churches 217 The clear space west of the pews.
b. Free from roughnesses, protuberances, knots, branches; = clean adj. 12.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [adjective] > free from knots
clean1626
clear1642
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. ix. 390 God, when he means to shave clear, chooses a razour with a sharp edge.
1822 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 29 June 824 I saw several oaks..with a clear stem of more than forty feet.
c. clear ship n. a ship whose deck is cleared for action.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > vessel cleared for action
clear ship1745
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 280 It was..surprizing to see how soon every thing was clear for engaging.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 297 We made a clear Ship..and put ourselves in a Posture ready for fighting.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. iv. 163 We had soon a clear ship, ready for an engagement.
21. Free or emptied of contents, load, or cargo; empty; esp. of a ship, when discharged.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > [adjective] > empty
idlec825
toomOE
lankc1000
emptyOE
leera1250
i-lerc1275
vain1382
void1390
bare1399
vacanta1400
i-voidec1415
hollow1600
vake1600
clear1607
inane1662
blank1748
viduous1855
unchargeda1861
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > [adjective] > unloaded from a ship > unloaded (of a ship)
clear1805
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 197 Neuer after the female is filled till she haue beene cleare one whole yeare.
1805 Ld. Nelson 6 Apr. in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VI. 399 One of our Transports will be clear tonight.
22. Free from any encumbrance or trouble; out of debt; out of the hold of the law.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered > unburdened (by trouble, etc.)
quit?c1225
unburdened1548
clear1569
clear1635
quits1885
1635 Musarum Deliciæ Here the people farre and neer Bring their diseases, and go clear.
1715 J. Gay What d'ye call It ii. ii. 21 Five Pounds, if rightly tipt, would set me clear.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 370 I was now a clear Man.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 484 Thus the bankrupt becomes a clear man again.
23. Free from pecuniary complications.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > solvency > [adjective]
afloat1538
straight1613
solvable1647
solvent1653
solvendoa1684
clear1712
holding company1906
self-financing1913
1712 in T. W. Marsh Some Rec. Early Friends in Surrey & Sussex (1886) xiii. 119 Things are not clear at home on his part—debts being contracted, just payment delayed.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 252 The Duke of Richmond's affairs, it was true, were not very clear.
a1843 R. Southey Roprecht iv I would that all my flock, like thee, Kept clear accounts with Heaven and me!
†24. slang. Very drunk. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [adjective] > drunk > completely or very drunk
drunk as a (drowned) mousea1350
to-drunka1382
as drunk as the devilc1400
sow-drunk1509
fish-drunk1591
swine-drunk1592
gone1603
far gone1616
reeling drunk1620
soda1625
souseda1625
blind1630
full1631
drunk (also merry, tipsy) as a lord1652
as full (or tight) as a tick1678
clear1688
drunk (dull, mute) as a fish1700
as drunk as David's sow or as a sow1727
as drunk as a piper1728
blind-drunkc1775
bitch foua1796
blootered1820
whole-seas over1820
three sheets in the wind1821
as drunk as a loon1830
shellaced1881
as drunk as a boiled owl1886
stinking1887
steaming drunk1892
steaming with drink1897
footless1901
legless1903
plastered1912
legless drunk1926
stinko1927
drunk as a pissant1930
kaylied1937
langers1949
stoned1952
smashed1962
shit-faced1963
out of (also off) one's bird1966
trashed1966
faced1968
stoned1968
steaming1973
langered1979
annihilated1980
obliterated1984
wankered1992
muntered1998
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia i. i. 5 Yes really, I was clear: For I do not remember what I did.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Relapse iv. 73 I suppose you are clear, you'd never play such a trick as this else.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Clear, very Drunk.
1725 New Canting Dict.
25.
a. U.S. slang. Free from admixture, unadulterated, pure, ‘real.’ clear grit: ‘real stuff’: see quots.
ΚΠ
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. xiv. 14 A chap, who was clear grit for a tussle, any time—any where.
1837–40 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. xxxii Champaigne..if you get the clear grit, there is no mistake in it.
1837–40 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. xii Is it [a piece of land] refuse or super-fine, clear stuff or only merchantable?
1837–40 T. C. Haliburton Sam Slick in Eng. xxii Solid silver, the clear thing, and no mistake.
1884 Fortn. Rev. May 592 There arose up [in Canada] a political party of a Radical persuasion, who were called Clear-Grits, and the Clear-Grits declared for the secularisation of the Clergy Reserves.
b. In technical or trade use.
ΚΠ
1739 J. Hempstead Diary 2 Oct. (1998) 352 White pine bords..& one bord 47 foot Clear Stuff a wide & thick one. for Table Leaves.
1822 J. Woods Two Years' Resid. Eng. Prairie 211 A hundred middling ears of corn will yield a bushel of clear corn.
1851 C. Cist Sketches & Statistics Cincinnati 214 Pig-iron, and one thousand tons Tennessee clear blooms.
1851 C. Cist Sketches & Statistics Cincinnati 281 The inspection laws require that clear pork shall be put up of the sides, with the ribs out.
1868 Trans. Illinois State Agric. Soc. 1865–6 6 645 Clear flooring, rejected on account of thickness, shall be classed with common flooring.
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 564/1 Clear-stuff, boards free from knots, wane, wind-shakes, ring-hearts, dote, sap.
1889 Cent. Dict. Clear, without admixture, adulteration, or dilution; as, a fabric of clear silk; clear brandy; clear tea.
1908 Practitioner Dec. 841 The furnace men may be affected..by an escape of gas at some defective joint. It is known as ‘clear gas’.
1917 F. S. Henry Printing for School & Shop vi. 80 Such an attempt [to produce a letter of maximum legibility] on the part of L. B. Benton and his son Morris has resulted in the production of the type face known as Clearface... The general effect of Clearface is that it presents a uniform amount of white throughout the line.
1930 San Antonio (Texas) Light 31 Jan. Clear Sides Salt Bacon.
1967 R. R. Karch & E. J. Buber Graphic Arts Procedures: Offset Processes v. 149 Uncoated film is known as clear back or clear base.
B. adv. [Clear is not originally an adverb, and its adverbial use arose partly out of the predicative use of the adjective, as in ‘the sun shines clear’; partly out of the analogy of native English adverbs which by loss of final -e had become formally identical with their adjectives, esp. of clean adv., which it has largely supplanted.]
1. Brightly, with effulgence; with undimmed or unclouded lustre. [Cf. bright adv. 1 similarly used.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [adverb] > brightly
brighteOE
lightOE
shireOE
fairOE
brightlyOE
sheen?c1225
shirelyc1230
sheenly1340
clearlya1375
shininglyc1384
clearc1385
cleana1400
shrillc1400
enclerea1440
lucidentlyc1508
sheerly1508
splendently1576
shiny1596
nitently1657
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Ariadne. 2220 The stonys of hire Corone shyne clere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 291 Þe sune..schines clere.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts 206 The glory of thy ghospell maye the clearer shyne.
1576 F. Kinwelmersh in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign Elizabeth (1845) II. 293 King Phœbus shines so cleere.
1621 G. Hakewill King David's Vow 188 Thereby..may..our vertues shine the clearer.
1668 Earl of Orrery Trag. Mustapha ii, in Hist. Henry V 73 That her gratitude may clearer shine.
1888 T. Watts in Sharp Sonn. of Cent. 247 So calm they shone and clear.
†2. In a clear or perspicuous manner; distinctly. Obsolete (now clearly adv.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > [adverb] > clearly
i-redlyOE
plainlya1398
cleara1400
clearly1413
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adverb] > with clarity
cleara1400
clearly1413
perspicuously1602
perspicaciously1662
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9754 He mai vnder-stand al cler þat þar es in vr lauerd dright, Thre persons.
1556 W. Lauder Compend. Tractate Dewtie of Kyngis sig. B4v Merk heir, how I haue schawin ȝow cleir. The way.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 376 Now clear I understand. View more context for this quotation
1688 R. L'Estrange Brief Hist. Times III. 23 He saw things clearer and clearer.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iv. xvi. 342 There are many Men that reason exceeding clear and rightly, who know not how to make a Syllogism.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. ii. 76 So as clearer to discern and readier to execute new matters.
a1784 W. G. Hamilton Parl. Logick (1808) 99 By method you understand a thing clearer.
†3. Manifestly, evidently. Obsolete (now clearly adv.)
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adverb]
couthlyc900
sutelichec900
openlyOE
witterlyc1175
kithlya1300
witnessfullyc1374
evidentlya1382
plainlya1382
graithc1394
eberlya1400
express14..
manifest1431
patently1441
manifestlyc1475
evident?1520
grossly1526
apparently1533
clear1550
apparent1565
clearly1569
notoriously1589
plain1590
perspicuously1592
perspectively1598
transparently1617
liquidlya1631
visibly1631
obviously1638
fairly1655
perspiculously1661
remarkably1666
squarely1860
1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes xlii. sig. Bvi This wager I wyn clere.
4.
a. With clear voice; distinctly; clearly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adverb] > clear
clearly1382
cleara1500
crystallya1690
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xvi. 261 He..cried high and cleer.
1681 P. Rycaut tr. B. Gracián y Morales Critick 116 No man spake clear, equal, or without artifice.
1782 W. Cowper John Gilpin 204 While he spoke, a braying ass Did sing both loud and clear.
b. clear-away adv. entirely, completely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb]
fullyeOE
allesOE
fullOE
rightc1175
everydealc1300
wholec1300
whollya1325
finelyc1330
fairly1340
completec1374
gainlya1375
clearly1377
freelya1393
plaina1393
entire?a1400
entirelyc1400
oddlyc1400
sufficientlyc1440
expressc1475
totally1509
completely1526
finec1530
exactly?1531
sincerely1576
start1599
fillingly1611
circularly1618
solid1651
out-over1745
rotundly1775
roundedly?1802
whole hog1840
clear-away1883
whole cloth1917
righteous1948
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island vi. xxxii. 271 And come to think on it, it was like Flint's voice, I grant you, but not just so clear-away like it, after all.
5.
a. Completely, quite, entirely, thoroughly; = clean adv. 5. Obsolete exc. dialect and U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > completely, quite, or absolutely
faira1325
quitec1330
full outa1382
straightly1395
absolutely?a1425
quitementa1450
rightc1450
twighta1500
cleara1522
plain1535
flat1577
sincerely1583
clever1664
cleverly1696
sublimely1722
square1862
quaite1864
fucking A1960
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) x. xi. 55 All the victory..and chancis..May be reducyt and alterat clar agane.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxvi. 204 Who soeuer toke any prisoner, he was clere his.
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 7 §3 Owners..haue ben clere without remedie.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 477 That all Ciuile discorde shoulde..be cleere forgotten.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Certain Misc. Tracts (1683) i. 58 They cut not down clear at once, but used an after section.
1688 R. L'Estrange Brief Hist. Times III. 40 He is Now got into Clear Another story.
1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. in Wks. (1727) II. i. ii. §6. 104 The Day is clear got.
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 270 Well I'm clear put out.
1845 C. M. Kirkland Western Clearings 78 I'm clear tuckered out with these young 'uns.
1886 M. Peacock Tales & Rhymes Lindsey Folk-speech 69 But boggard doesn't feäl clear suited.
b. With away, off, out, through, over, and the like; esp. where there is some notion of getting clear of obstructions, or of escaping; = clean adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > altogether, entirely, or completely
bedenec1175
all outc1300
downrightc1330
downrightsc1330
at alla1375
whole together1551
in all sorts1559
right out1578
clear1600
neck and heels1647
to rights1663
head over ears1774
neck and crop1791
fair and square1870
in total1965
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xxii. 329 The Romanes went clear away with the better [L. haud dubie superat].
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ii. 17 A Tree to fell across the River..which we cut down, and it reach'd clear over.
1738 E. S. R. L'Estrange Æsop in Verse 161 He bit it off clear.
1745 J. Swift Ode to Sir W. Temple in Misc. X. 200 She soars clear out of sight.
1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xvi. xii. 445 Collini and he..were on the edge of being clear off.
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times IV. lii. 109 Fancy franchises were swept clear away.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. ii. 69 It was clear in our teeth from the first.
1885 Manch. Examiner 10 Sept. 5/6 The thieves got clear away.
6. See other quasi-adverbial uses in A. 18d.
C. n.
I. Elliptical uses of the adjective.
†1. A fair lady, a ‘fair’. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman
clearc1330
comelya1375
wlonk?a1400
brightc1400
gayc1400
sheenc1400
violet1412
berylc1440
blossomc1440
bonnya1529
pertc1540
bonylasse1546
Venus?1572
spark1575
bellibone1579
bonnibel1579
nymph1584
cheruba1616
lily1622
bellea1640
fine1639
toast1700
houri1745
belle dame1768
peri1813
beauty queen1835
stallion1970
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 318 Elizabeth þat clere.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1489 ‘I kende yow of kyssyng,’ quoþ þe clere þenne.
c1440 Bone Flor. 78 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës III. 4 Y have herde of a clere, Florens that ys feyre.
†2. Brightness, clearness. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > clear condition
clearnessa1400
clear1589
openness1611
cloudlessnessa1851
1589 T. Lodge Delectable Disc. Satyre 38 Thy cleere with cloudy darkes is scar'd.
1590 R. Greene Neuer too Late ii. sig. H3v No cleare appeard vpon the azurd Skie.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads i. 458 Twilight hid the clear.
†3. The clear part of a mirror. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun] > parts of
foila1582
clear1587
sight1640
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xiv. 234 If the cleere of the Glasse had any peculiar shape of it owne, the Glasse could yeeld none of these shapes at all.
4. Painting. (plural) Lights as opposed to shades.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > light and shade > [noun] > light
light1561
clear1814
lighting1854
1814 Monthly Mag. 38 213 You will weaken both the clears and the obscures. [Cf. clear-obscure n.]
5.
a. Clear space, part of anything clear of the frame or setting. in the clear: in interior measurement. See A. 19.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > as determined by measuring [phrase] > in interior measurement
in the clear1674
the world > space > relative position > condition of being internal > internal [phrase] > in interior measurement
in the clear1674
1674 in Arch. Maryland (1884) II. 405 The State house to be..with a porch in front sixteene foote long and twelve foote broad in the Clear on the Inside.
1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 124 Supposing..the Hole..to be 30 inches in the clear, that is, on the inside.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery Introd. p. xli A church fifty feet long, and twenty broad, in the clear.
1847 F. W. Newman Hist. Hebrew Monarchy 128 Seventy cubits in the clear.
b. Colloquial phrase in the clear: (a) out of reach; (b) unencumbered; free from trouble, danger, suspicion, etc.; (c) having a clear profit. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > a long way off [phrase] > out of range or reach
out of the way1484
out of distancea1500
on the windy side of1600
in the clear1901
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [adverb] > profitably > having so much to profit
in pocket1751
out of the red1907
in the clear1928
the world > action or operation > easiness > easy, easily, or without difficulty [phrase] > free from difficulty or trouble
out of the wood1792
off the hook1864
in the clear1930
1901 ‘J. Flynt’ World of Graft ii. 18 Even down-town they [sc. policemen] are likely to be in the clear when you want 'em most.
1928 J. O'Connor Broadway Racketeers xvii. 185 When we counted up the final night we figured nearly sixty grand in the clear.
1930 C. F. Coe Gunman xii. 235 All I'm trying to do..is keep things running smooth until we're in the clear again.
1934 Passing Show 26 May 11/3 You saw an opportunity of fixing all the blame on your partner, leaving yourself in the clear.
1948 ‘N. Shute’ No Highway 111 He had made a thorough inspection and had found everything correct. That put him in the clear.
1948 Esquire Mar. 49/2 After a few years he was $3500 in the clear.
II. Verbal noun from clear v.
6.
a. A clearing of the atmosphere, sky, or weather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > clear condition > a clearing of the weather
clear1694
1694 J. Narborough Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) i. 22 Between nine and ten a Clock there was a fine clear, by which I saw the Land very plainly.
1804 Naval Chron. 11 168 The wind shifted..accompanied with a clear.
b. With adverbs: clear-out, an act of clearing out (see to clear out at clear v. Phrasal verbs); clear-up, an act of clearing up, spec. the settlement of accounts (see to clear up 7 at clear v. Phrasal verbs); also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > [noun] > specific processes
allowance1528
allocation1535
writing1732
liquidating1749
set-off1766
write-back1873
whack1885
clear-up1901
virement1902
accrual accounting1915
writedown1920
accruals accounting1963
cookie jar1975
1901 Westm. Gaz. 24 May 7/1 The clear-up will have to come sooner or later.
1923 J. Manchon Le Slang 87 To have a clear out, aller à la selle, se vider.
1928 (From a Stockbroker's form) 29 May Paid..in respect of the clear-up Dividend.
1959 Sunday Express 1 Feb. 5/3 A large-scale clear-out of Victoriana from Windsor Castle to provide more room for the stored gifts.
1968 ‘P. Alding’ Circle of Danger ii. 14 I've just been examining last month's crime figures... The clear-up rate looks very bad.

Compounds

C1. With the adjective: chiefly parasynthetic; as clear-aired (having clear air), clear-crested, clear-faced, clear-featured, clear-hearted, clear-limbed, clear-minded, clear-pointed, clear-spirited, clear-stemmed, clear-throated, clear-toned, clear-voiced, clear-walled, clear-witted, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > [adjective] > good
well-madec1325
well-setc1330
featous1340
largec1405
well-trussedc1425
well-attempereda1460
well-featureda1460
clean-limbed1461
well-bodied1481
well-drawn?a1534
clean-madea1535
trussed1548
clean-legged1568
trim1568
well-knit1581
well-thewed1583
well-timbered1595
clear-limbed1596
clean-timbered1598
well-mounted1607
well-turned1631
clever1674
neat-limbeda1697
well built1706
well-set-up1790
clean-built1840
athletic1925
mesomorphic1926
1596 R. Linche Certaine Sonnets in Diella sig. C2v Cleer-fac'd morning makes her bright vprise.
1634 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (1677) 129 (T.) The clear-voiced boys.
1694 London Gaz. No. 3015/4 Stolen or straid..a dark dapple bay Mare..clear Limb'd.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Isabel in Poems 6 Eyes..fed With the clearpointed flame of chastity.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Recoll. Arab. Nights iii, in Poems 49 Clearstemm'd platans guard The outlet.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Lancelot & Elaine 1153 in Idylls of King That clear-featured face Was lovely.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. i. 14 The clear-toned Pylian orator.
C2. With the adverb, as clear-dangling, clear-drawn, clear-judging, clear-seeing, clear-shining, clear-smiling, clear-spoken, clear-standing, clear-swayed, clear-writ, etc. (See also A. 1b)
ΚΠ
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 28 In a pale cleere shining skie.
1830 J. F. W. Herschel Prelim. Disc. Study Nat. Philos. iii. iii. 286 Clear-judging tact.
1868 Ld. Houghton Sel. from Wks. 195 That clear-drawn landscape.
1879 ‘G. Eliot’ College Breakfast Party in Macmillan's Mag. July 170 A law Clear-writ and proven as the law supreme.
C3. Special combinations. Also clear-eyed adj., clear-headed adj., clear-starch v., etc.
clear-air gust n. (also clear-air turbulence) disturbance of the atmosphere at high altitudes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > movements and pressure conditions > [noun] > disturbance at high altitude
clear-air gust1948
1948 Shell Aviation News No. 122. 3/1 These clear air gusts—areas of violently turbulent atmosphere which have been found to exist at heights of 20,000 ft. to 40,000 ft.
1955 O. G. Sutton Sci. of Flight 60 Strong upward currents and bumpy flying conditions..can arise in air free from clouds. Clear-air turbulence, as it is called.
1969 New Scientist 9 Jan. 57/1 Until such time as clear-air turbulence can be detected, something can be done to safeguard aircraft.
† ˈclear-cake n. Obsolete a kind of confection, partly transparent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > confections or sweetmeats > sweets > [noun] > a sweet > flat sweet
sugar-platec1333
plate1356
candy-platea1657
clear-cake1746
Fruit Roll-Up2004
1746 H. Walpole Let. 6 June in Lett. to H. Mann (1833) II. 153 I used to call him the Clearcake; fat, fair, sweet, and seen through in a moment.
1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper ix. 217 To make Currant Clear Cake.
clear-cutting n. the cutting down and removal of every tree in a given area.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > lumbering > [noun] > felling trees
fallinga1425
felling1447
fell1531
fall1535
woodfall1588
slaughter1657
logging1706
tree-felling1759
fallage1788
slashing1822
fellage1839
wood-cutting1872
throw1879
bush-falling1882
drive1899
bushwhacking1906
clear-cutting1922
coupe1922
landnam1950
1922 W. Schlich Man. Forestry (ed. 4) I. ii. 159 The system of clear-cutting followed by planting has lately been recommended.
1927 Forestry 1 11 In the stress of war-time felling also, clear cutting was the only method possible.
1928 R. S. Troup Silvicultural Syst. ii. 4 The clear-cutting system. Under this system successive areas are clear felled and regenerated.
clear-felling n. see clear-cutting n.
ΚΠ
1922 W. Schlich Man. Forestry (ed. 4) I. ii. 97 The clear-felling of the first planted areas.
clear-fell adj. see clear-cutting n.
ΚΠ
1962 Times 1 Jan. 6/4 The normal clear-fell and replant industrial or ‘tree-farming’ systems of forestry.
clear-felled adj. see clear-cutting n.
ΚΠ
1922 W. Schlich Man. Forestry (ed. 4) I. ii. 96 Planting new ground with conifers..should also be admissible in the case of clear-felled and devastated areas.
clear-light v. to illumine clearly.
ΚΠ
1861 ‘N. Temple’ & ‘E. Trevor’ Tannhäuser 69 Clearlighted all with noble thoughts, Her face glowed as an angel's.
† clear-matin n. Obsolete some kind of bread.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > bread > [noun] > other types of bread
sergeant-loafa1348
clear-matin1362
bean-breadc1380
French bread1420
pease-breada1425
bran-breadc1425
grey breadc1430
angels' breadc1440
dough bread?a1500
baker's bread?1550
acorn bread1571
cart-bread1574
chapter-bread1600
diet-bread1617
ember-bread1681
buff coat1688
bust-coat1706
Picentine bread1712
chestnut-bread1814
naan1828
gluten-bread1846
to-bread1854
batch-bread1862
injera1868
coffee cake1879
pan dulce1882
quick bread1882
sour bread1884
Tommy1895
focaccia1905
hard-dough bread1911
hush puppy1918
potica1927
spoon bread1932
bake1933
pitta1936
hard-dough1966
pain de campagne1970
pocket bread1973
ciabatta1985
pain au levain1985
levain1991
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 292 Ne no Beggere eten Bred þat Benes Inne coome, Bote Coket and Cler Matin, an of clene whete [1393 C. ix. 328 clerematyn and Coket].
clear-skin n. Australian an unbranded beast (cf. clean-skin n. at clean- adj. and adv. Compounds); also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > unbranded
clean-skin1881
clear-skin1884
1884 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Old Melbourne Mem. xv. 109 Calves and clear-skins.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms I. ii. 22 I hadn't lived all my life on Rocky Creek..without knowing what ‘clearskins’ and ‘cross’ beasts meant.
1900 H. Lawson Over Sliprails 135 ‘Carn't you see it's a clear skin?’..The idea of a ‘“clear skin” steer’ would have amused her at any other time.
1941 Coast to Coast 22 Some steers had got out of his holding paddocks, and he offered Wally two bob for every steer he could track and bring in. Wally took in a couple of clear-skins.
† clear-walk n. Obsolete (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 252/1 The Clear Walk is the place that the Fighting Cock is in, and none other.
ˈclear-wing n. attributive, popular name of the hawkmoths with transparent wings (Ægeridæ); so clear-winged.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [adjective] > of or belonging to member of family Aegeridae
clear-winged1859
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > family Aegeridae > member of family Aegeridae
clear-wing1859
1859 W. S. Coleman Our Woodlands 68 A moth of the clear-winged division.
1868 J. G. Wood Homes without Hands viii. 190 The various species..called Clear-wing Moths.

Draft additions 1993

In Scientology, a person who has completed a course of dianetic therapy and is considered free of neuroses and other physical or mental ills. Cf. preclear n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > [adjective]
in (one's right) witc1000
wittyc1000
wisec1290
well-tempered1340
reasonablec1400
safe1402
perfectc1440
well in (also of) one's witsa1450
right in one's geara1500
well-advised1532
sensed1549
unmad1570
well-advised1585
rational1598
solid1606
in one's (right) senses1613
formala1616
of (in) disposing mind or memory1628
compos mentis1631
righta1638
well-hinged1649
well-balanced1652
spacked1673
clear-headed1709
sane1721
unfantastic1794
unmaddened1797
pas si bête1840
lucid1843
unfantastical1862
clothed and in one's right mind1873
right-minded1876
ungiddy1904
clear1950
the world > health and disease > mental health > [noun] > person
clear1950
1950 L. R. Hubbard Dianetics i. ii. 8 Dianetically, the optimum individual is called the clear.
1950 L. R. Hubbard Dianetics Gloss. 437 Clear, the optimum individual; no longer possessed of any engrams.
1965 L. R. Hubbard Scientology Abridged Dict. Clear,..a thetan who can be at cause knowingly and at will over mental matter, energy, space and time as regards the First Dynamic (survival for self).
1968 Punch 14 Aug. 230/3 The audit takes a considerable number of hours before the patient or ‘preclear’ becomes free or ‘clear’ of ‘engrams’, and, as each processing course costs money, becoming a ‘clear’ may cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

clearv.

Brit. /klɪə/, U.S. /klɪ(ə)r/
Forms: Middle English cler(en, Middle English–1500s clere, Middle English–1600s cleere, (Middle English cleryn), 1500s–1600s cleer, cleare, 1500s– clear, (Scottish1600s claire, 1700s–1800s clair).
Etymology: < clear adj.
To make clear; become clear; get clear of.
I. In reference to light, and related senses.
†1.
a. transitive. To fill with light; to brighten, illumine. 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
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xix. 16 The morwetide was ful cleerid [a1425 L.V. was cleer].
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Tisbe. 773 Phebus gan to cleere Aurora with the stremys of hete.
a1400–50 Alexander 4374 Þe rede sonne..Þat all þe land with his leme lewis & cleres.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7633 The sun in his sercle..All clerit the course, clensit the aire.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. iv. 140 Phœbus alwaies with his shine Cleeres halfe (at least) of thine [sc. the moon's] aspect diuine.
b. To render transparent or translucent; to remove matter which clouds or troubles (a medium), or dims the clearness of (a surface); to clarify (a liquid).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > transparency or translucence > make transparent or translucent [verb (transitive)]
clearc1440
encleara1529
vitriate1631
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 81 Cleryn fro drestys, desicco.
1545 T. Raynald & R. Jonas in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde iv. sig. Y.viiiv To cleare and claryfye the skyn.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. M1v The poysoned fountaine cleares it selfe againe. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 105 He sweeps the Skies, and clears the cloudy North. View more context for this quotation
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. II. 1106/2 These seeds are employed to clear muddy water.
c. to clear the air: originally to free from clouds, mists, or obscuring elements; now, chiefly, to purify from the sultry conditions which precede a storm; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > do or accomplish something easily [verb (intransitive)] > clear difficulties or troubles
to clear the airc1380
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make clear
to clear the airc1380
uncloud1598
serene1613
enubilate1736
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 437 Þenne wyndis of treuþis shulden blowe awey þe heresyes, and cler þe eyrs of holi chirche, þat is now ful troble.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) viii. xvi. 324 By spredynge of his bemes the sonne clensith and clerith the ayre.
1885 Manch. Examiner 10 Sept. 5/4 His explicit declaration in reply to Mr. Parnell's speech..has cleared the air.
2. intransitive. To become clear or bright.
a. Of the day, sky, weather, etc.: originally, To become bright or full of light; to become ‘fine’, clear up; to become free of clouds, mist, or stormy elements.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear
clearc1374
to clear up1627
uncloud1793
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 519 O morw, as day bigan to clere.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 313 The sonne arist, the weder clereth.
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 366 Þan gan it to calme and clere all aboute.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 81 Cleryn', or wex clere or bryghte, as wedur, sereno, clareo.
1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. A.viv As wether cleerth, or cloudth, so must men take.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 108 So foule a skie, cleeres not without a storme. View more context for this quotation
1633 T. James Strange Voy. 28 When it cleered; in sight of land.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §27. 202 The air was clearing, and our hopes brightening.
b. To become free from anything that mars transparency, or purity of colour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > transparency or translucence > be transparent [verb (intransitive)] > become transparent
cleara1593
transpare1604
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. C So now the blood begins to cleare againe.
1632 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (ed. 4) ii. ii. i. i. 233 Many Riuers..are muddy..but after they be setled two or three daies, defecate and cleare.
1716 J. Swift Progr. Beauty Her spots are gone, her visage clears.
1853 W. Gregory Inorg. Chem. 183 Allowing the liquid to clear in the..vessel.
c. figurative.
ΚΠ
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Visct. Cobham 9 The Prospect clears, and Clodio stands confest.
1793 R. Southey Triumph of Woman 135 For his care-clouded brow shall clear.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 148 Then for a time the prospect seemed to clear.
1862 E. M. Goulburn Thoughts Personal Relig. (1873) ii. 14 Are our views of God and of Christ gradually enlarging and clearing.
3. transitive. To make (the eyesight) clear. (Partly with the notion of giving clearness of vision, partly of cleansing the eyes from motes, films, etc.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > types of vision > [verb (transitive)] > make sight clear
clarify1509
cleara1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 57 That will cleere your sight. View more context for this quotation
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 161 The gall with honey cleareth the eyes.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 706 Your Eyes that seem so cleere, Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then Op'nd and cleerd. View more context for this quotation
1877 M. Oliphant Makers of Florence (ed. 2) iii. 91 Heaven had calmed and cleared those burning eyes.
4. To make (a person) clear as to a matter; to convince (obsolete); to enlighten or inform (the mind or understanding); to ‘clarify’.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > enlightenment > enlighten [verb (transitive)]
to open a person's eyeslOE
clear1399
illumine?1499
illustrate1526
illightena1555
illuminate?1566
unblind1598
irradiate1628
unblindfold1643
to know (also learn, show, teach, tell) (a person) a thing or two1760
illumea1764
enlighten1811
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 11 Ȝit clereth þis clause no þinge my wittis.
1633 J. Done tr. ‘Aristeas’ Aunc. Hist. Septuagint sig. O5v For the Integrity of Moses..wee are sufficiently cleared and satisfied by the Authority of the Holy Spirit of God.
1638 in Hamilton Papers (1880) 28 The desyre of some..to be cleared in sume things.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. v. 177 With some prospect of finding..my puzzled brain cleared.
5. To make clear or plain to the mind; to free from obscurity or ambiguity; to explain, elucidate.
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
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 81 Cleryn or make clere a thynge þat ys vnknowe, clarifico, manifesto.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 72 Forto expowne and cleere her wordis.
1609 Bible (Douay) I. (title page) Tables: and other helps..for clearing Controversies in Religion.
a1626 F. Bacon Elements Common Lawes (1630) Pref. sig. B v In cases wherin the law is cleered by authoritie.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 3 Objections..are cleared and answered.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) vii. 101 To clear this point.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xii. 185 I waited on her father in person, willing to clear the thing to his satisfaction.
1857 F. D. Maurice Epist. St. John i. 2 Till I have quite cleared my meaning about them.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 242 God is at no pains to clear, either the likelihood of His history, or the fulfilment of His prophecies.
1870 W. S. Jevons Elem. Lessons Logic (1878) xiii. 112 Their value and use is to clear and abbreviate discourse.
†6. To make manifest, demonstrate, prove. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)]
i-sothea925
soothec950
fanda1000
kitheOE
betell1048
showc1175
prove?c1225
treousec1275
stablisha1325
approve1340
verifyc1386
justifya1393
tryc1412
answer?a1425
appreve?c1450
to make gooda1470
convictc1475
averifyc1503
arguea1513
find1512
pree1515
comprobate1531
demonstrate1538
conclude1549
convince1555
argument1558
evict1571
avoucha1593
evidencea1601
remonstrate1601
clear1605
attaint1609
monstrate1609
evince1610
evince1611
improve1613
remonstrance1621
to make out1653
ascertain1670
to bring off1674
to make (something) to through1675
render1678
substantiatea1691
establisha1704
to bring out1727
realize1763
validate1775
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C4 The euidence of time doth cleare this assertion. View more context for this quotation
1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. viii. 84 Nor doe any the Presidents..clear, that the King..did grant, [etc.].
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) Pref. p. lxxxix Every one [of these Passages] are true, and may be perfectly clear'd.
1770 J. Wilkes Corr. (1805) IV. 31 The title to the house in Berners-street cannot be cleared.
II. Of the voice or vocal organs.
7. To make the voice clear and distinct; to free the vocal organs of huskiness, phlegm, etc.
ΘΚΠ
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
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > respiratory spasms > have respiratory spasm [verb (intransitive)] > cough > to clear throat
reacheOE
roughOE
yeska1522
retch1534
hawk1582
hough1600
scraw1656
clear1881
hoick1926
1701 D. Defoe True-born Englishman ii. 30 And lets them all drink Wine to clear the Voice.
1842 W. M. Thackeray Miss Tickletoby's Lect. Introd., in Wks. (1886) XXIV. 10 Having cleared her voice..she began the lecture.
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet I. v. 101 He cleared his throat, and was silent awhile.
III. To make pure, innocent.
8. figurative. To make pure from stain, to wash away (a stain); to purify, clarify.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > wash [verb (transitive)] > remove (dirt or stain) by washing
clearc1340
washc1450
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 14 When the resone es cleryde fra all worldly and fleschely behaldynges..and es illuminede with grace for to be-halde Godde and gastely thynges.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. D1v The blackest sinne is clear'd with absolution. View more context for this quotation
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H2 To cleare this spot by death. View more context for this quotation
1609 S. Rowlands Dr. Merrie-man 24 A Rich man and a poore did both appeare Before a Iudge, an iniurie to cleare.
1687 W. Wake Prepar. for Death iv. 131 Before you pray, clear your Soul from all those sins which you know displeasing to God.
9.
a. To make clear from the imputation of guilt, to free from accusation, charge, or blame; to prove innocent; to acquit. (Often, to clear oneself.)
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > exculpate
cleansea1000
skere?c1225
unwreea1250
spurge1303
sunyiea1325
disblamec1374
quita1400
whitena1400
emplasterc1405
declare1460
clear1481
absolve1496
purgea1530
free1560
clenge1592
disculp1602
uncharge1604
exonerate1655
exculpate1656
wash1659
excriminate1661
to wipe the mouth of1687
disculpate1693
whitewash1703
rehabilitate1847
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 8 He hath ynowh to doo to clere hym self.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Epitome sig. Bij When the person so charged doth purge and cleare himselfe.
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) x. lvi. 248 And, as found, her to condemne or cleare.
a1605 A. Montgomerie Flyting with Polwart 46 Knave, acknowledge thine offence, Or I grow crabbed, and sa claire thee.
1659 Capt. Baynes in Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 442 I move to clear them, and make them innocent persons.
1713 J. Addison Cato iii. v. 58 How! would'st thou clear rebellion!
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 207 He must commit Mr. Forester to gaol, unless he can clear himself.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 469 A resolution clearing the Victualling Office was proposed by Montague.
b. Const. of, from. Cf. 11.
ΚΠ
1483 Vulgaria abs Terencio (T. Rood & T. Hunte) sig. nvii Late me clere my selfe of this faute.
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. D2 Christes aunswere..cleeres him of it.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. ii. 65 A little Water cleares vs of this deed. View more context for this quotation
1636 D. Featley Clavis Mystica lviii. 786 From Idolatry in the second acception they can never cleere themselves.
1692 J. Locke Toleration iii. i, in Wks. (1727) II. 295 I shall endeavour to clear myself of that Imputation.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xxxi. 15 Why do not they immediately clear themselves from it?
1885 G. Monod in Contemp. Rev. July 144 M. Paulin Paris..clears them both from the reproach.
c. To establish the suitability of a person for work involving questions of (national) security. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > permit [verb (transitive)] > obtain permission for
clear1948
1948 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. XLII. 495 FBI Director Hoover announced that 1,005,944 names had been cleared and that only 777 full investigations had been instituted.
1950 W. Gellhorn Security, Loyalty & Sci. iv. 90 Dr. Graham might..require access to restricted information, and so he had to be ‘cleared’.
1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 10 When the question of ‘clearance’ for work on the atomic project arose, I explained that if they cleared me it would be necessary for them to clear my wife as well.
IV. To make clear from encumbrance or obstruction.
10.
a. To free from obstructions, obstacles, impediments, things or persons that obstruct or cumber a space; to make open or void for passage or operations. to clear the coast, clear a way, clear the decks, are also used figuratively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > do or accomplish something easily [verb (intransitive)] > facilitate progress
to make waya1200
to prepare the way1526
to clear the coast1530
to pave the wayc1585
to oil the wheels1645
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction
openOE
ridlOE
unstop1398
uncumberc1440
redd1488
clear1530
unchoke1588
disencumber1598
disobstruct1611
unblock1611
unchain1616
deobstruct1653
unobstruct1659
free1690
rede1693
to open up1793
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (intransitive)] > clear decks
clear the decks1870
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 486/2 The kynge intendeth to go to Calays, but we muste first clere the costes.
1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xii. lxxvi. 309 No sooner cleered was the Coast, but that the bidden Guest Steales to her Chamber doore.
1631 E. Pellham Gods Power 31 The winde comming Easterly, carried all the yce into the Sea, and cleared the Sownd a great way.
c1647 Knts. Isle Wight in Sc. Pasquils (1868) 154 Have you cleared the way to Joppa?
1836 F. Marryat Japhet III. xvii. 184 We sat down to dinner, and when we had finished, and the table had been cleared, we drew to the fire.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) II. xiii. 170 To clear them [the walls of the city] by showers of missiles.
1866 G. A. Sala Trip to Barbary 5 Police to clear the way.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. ii. 42 They cleared the decks amid the clamorous cries Of multitudes.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 20 For this great palace he cleared an area.
1885 Manch. Examiner 16 Sept. 5/5 The streets had to be cleared.
b. In various specific uses, as
(a) To prepare (a ship) for action by removing everything that is in the way, from the decks, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > clear for action
clear1745
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 16 We stove most of our empty Casks, in order to clear our Ships as much as possible.
1790 R. Beatson Naval & Mil. Mem. 277 He cleared ship and made ready for action.
1889 Sat. Rev. 16 Mar. 304/1 Clearing an English war-ship for action.
(b) To free (land, etc.) from trees, underwood, etc., in preparation for cultivation. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > reclaim [verb (transitive)] > clear land
redeeOE
ridlOE
grubc1374
stub1464
clot1483
shrub1553
clear1634
cure1719
stump1796
spade1819
slash1821
underbrush1824
to clean up1839
underbush1886
screef1913
1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prospect (1865) 40 This place is called Massachusetts fields where the greatest Sagamore in the countrey lived, before the Plague, who caused it to be cleared for himselfe.
1640 Boston Rec. (1877) II. 53 Natha: Willis is spared from Cleareing half an acre of his ground..in regard his servant did scald his legg.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World vii. 188 The S.W. end of the Island hath never been cleared.
1705 J. Logan in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1872) X. 9 There were 40 acres cleared at Pennsbury at thy going off.
1746–7 J. Hervey Medit. (1818) 145 Let holy discipline clear the soil.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. II. 93 The Englishman clears half the quantity of land,—clears it very thoroughly.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iii. xxv. 251 Seeing that he had so far cleared ground, the Parson went on to intimate, [etc.].
(c) To free (a felled tree) from branches, to convert into clear timber.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > lumbering > [verb (transitive)] > cut timber into logs
log1829
clear1885
1885 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island (Illustr. ed.) iv. xviii. 145 A..fir-tree lying felled and cleared [1883 trimmed] in the enclosure.
c. Association Football, etc. To send (the ball etc.) out of one's defensive zone; to kick away from one's goal-area. Also absol. or intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > play association football [verb (intransitive)] > actions or manoeuvres
clear1892
cross-kick1927
handball1935
anchor1976
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > play association football [verb (transitive)] > actions to ball
smother1845
handle1869
middle1869
fist1909
volley1909
sidefoot1913
clear1947
convert1950
trap1950
square1972
welly1986
1892 Football News (Nottingham) 23 Jan. 3/4 The Notts. backs cleared in grand style.
1925 Football & Sports Favourite 17 Oct. 15/2 The back had plenty of time to clear, and was about to do so when, behind him, he heard the goalkeeper clapping his hands for the ball.
1947 Sporting Mirror 7 Nov. 8/1 Scott cleared the slowly rolling ball from right off the goal line.
1968 R. D. Eagleson & I. McKie Terminol. Austral. Nat. Football i. 22 Clear, in defence, to send a long kick, putting the ball a safe distance away from the goal.
1984 C. Leatherdale England's Quest for World Cup ii. 41 Byrne cleared Brown's header from under the bar.
11.
a. Hence, gen., To free or rid (a place or thing of any things by which it is occupied, accompanied, or encumbered, so as to leave the former clear or void). Now a leading sense which tends to colour all the others.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > get or be rid of > rid of something
cleansea1250
quita1387
unladea1398
deliverc1400
quiet1450
clear1535
discussa1542
free1590
unload1591
unstable1612
deonerate1623
discard1656
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out > clear of (something)
clear1535
strip1616
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out > of people
rimeOE
unstuffa1500
usha1578
unfurnish1603
clear1851
1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale sig. F.j Let Tin[dale] clere himselfe of this errour.
1585 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Health (new ed.) sig. T j A grene frogge..if ye pacient be anoyntid ther wyth before his fit, it shal clere him of hys Agewe.
1791 Gentleman's Mag. 61 ii. 1171 Having cleared the plain of its inhabitants, and the air of its winged people.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 216 The young cuckow..sets about clearing the nest of the young sparrows.
1835 Bonnycastle's Algebra 83 Any equation may be cleared of fractions, by multiplying each of its terms successively by the denominators.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 310/1 The strathes and glens of Sutherland have been cleared of their inhabitants, and..the whole country has been converted into one immense sheepwalk.
1860 J. W. Carlyle Lett. III. 63 A wild desire to clear the house of these new-comers.
1881 J. Russell Haigs of Bemersyde iii. 40 The higher valley-levels, when cleared of wood, were devoted to purposes of agriculture.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xix. 153 The inside of the stockade had been cleared of timber.
†b. with from: to free from. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ii. 83 [Oswy] cleared the Country from his [sc. Penda's] Cruelty.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. vii. 172 They are..cleared from this Apprehension [of death] . View more context for this quotation
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) III. 871 By a machine generally called a Devil or Opener..the cotton is cleared from its heaviest dirt and opened.
c. U.S. To get approval of (a plan, proposal, etc.) from someone in authority. Const. with (the person who authorizes). Also absol.
ΚΠ
1944 Harper's Mag. June 69/1 The policy-makers must be consulted on everything that is not part of the established routine. Getting their okay is known as ‘clearing on policy’ or ‘clearance’.
1944 Time 25 Sept. 4/1 Clear everything with Sidney.
12.
a. To remove, so as to leave the place or way clear. Cf. to clear away, to clear off, to clear out at Phrasal verbs.
ΚΠ
1648 Bp. J. Wilkins Math. Magick ii. x. 237 A certain man..digging..did meet with something like a dore,..from which having cleared the earth, he forced open this dore.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 69 Having cleared the wreck, and close-reefed the topsails.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 183 A few events in the internal history of the Duchy may be usefully cleared out of the way.
1873 H. B. Tristram Land of Moab v. 80 We toiled away with our men at clearing the great stones.
b. With mixture of sense 1b, 1c (cf. to clear away at Phrasal verbs, to clear off at Phrasal verbs).
ΚΠ
1832 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War III. 693 A gentle sea-breeze began to clear the mist, and the sun shone forth.
13. intransitive. To depart, so as to leave the place clear (in quot. 18321 with mixture of sense 2 cf. to clear away at Phrasal verbs, to clear off at Phrasal verbs); to go away, ‘clear off’. Also reflexive (U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > so as to leave the place clear
clear1805
to clear off1888
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > so as to leave the place clear
clear1805
to clear off1816
1805 Ordway in Jrnls. Lewis & Ordway (1916) 255 The rest all mounted their horses and cleared themselves as they do not wish to fite.
1827 Western Monthly Rev. 1 283 In the language of the west, ‘he cleared himself’.
1832 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War III. 568 When the mist cleared, their whole force was seen.
1832 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War III. 202 As soon as the fog cleared.
1839 C. M. Kirkland New Home xv. 92 [He] stated boldly that Mr. Mazard had absconded; or in Western language ‘cleared’.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xxii. 276 ‘Will you clear, gentlemen? Will you clear? Will you be so good as clear, gentlemen, and make a little room for more?’ Regardless of the Captain's cries, they didn't clear at all, but stood there, bolt upright and staring.
1909 T. E. Lawrence Lett. (1938) 71 We cleared..to Tell-el-Kadi.
1938 Times 20 Aug. 9/3 A member of a gang of 10 native convicts suddenly dropped his pick and cleared for the bush.
V. To make clear of contents or burden.
14.
a. To deprive of its contents, to leave empty, exhaust. to clear a dish, to dispose of its contents; to clear an examination paper (modern colloquial), to ‘dispose of’ all the questions; to clear a ship, to discharge it of its cargo.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > empty > empty or exhaust
draw1483
rinse1575
sponge1610
clear1699
bottom1808
to clean out1844
deplete1850
deplenish1859
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. iii. vii. 86 And having every Man his Callabash full..but I am confident not a Man among us all did clear his Dish.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 189 They found they had cleared the Place, which was not of a long Extent.
1794 Ld. Nelson 3 July in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 422 To send me an exact Return of what Ships are cleared; and what the other Ships have still on board.
b. intransitive (for reflexive). To become empty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > be or become unoccupied or empty [verb (intransitive)]
emptc1275
empty1587
clear1886
blank1955
1886 Daily News 20 Sept. 2/5 Supplies continue good, and the market clears with a steady demand.
c. transitive. To purge the bowels of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatments removing or dispersing matter > remove or disperse [verb (transitive)] > purge
purge1340
loosec1400
physicc1400
scour1489
lask1540
loosen1587
vacuate1651
unload1653
clear1719
1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth V. 313 I clear the Lass with a Wainscot Face.
d. To unburden or purge (the conscience).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > make pure [verb (transitive)] > purge (the conscience)
clear1883
1883 S. R. Gardiner Hist. Eng. I. vi. 261 They all confessed to the priest..After they had thus cleared their consciences, they rode off to Stephen Littleton's house.
e. intransitive. To remove the remains of a meal (cf. sense to clear away 1 at Phrasal verbs).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > removal of dishes > [verb (intransitive)] > clear table
to draw the boardc1330
to draw the clothc1330
to draw the tablec1330
to take awaya1475
to take up the tablea1513
to take off1599
to clear away1711
clear1914
1914 J. M. Barrie Admirable Crichton iii. 159 An excellent soup, Polly, but still a trifle too rich... You may clear.
1962 N. Marsh Hand in Glove ii. 58 It wasn't there when I cleared, miss.
VI. To make or get clear from contact.
15.
a. transitive. To free from contact or entanglement; to free and separate; to get (a thing or oneself) clear of or from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > make free of hindrances or encumberment > from contact or entanglement
unwrap1561
clear1591
disentangle1598
disinvolve1611
disimplicate1660
unmesh1844
1591 W. Raleigh Rep. Fight Iles of Açores sig. C2v Hee was like to be encompassed by the squadrons, & with great difficultie cleared himselfe.
1692 Smith's Sea-mans Gram. (new ed.) i. xvi. 78 When two Cables that come through two several Hawses are twisted, the untwisting them is called clearing the Hawse.
1761 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 153/1 Captain Potts..lately gallantly cleared himself from six French privateers.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 289 The hauling of this fish up by the lines, and the clearing it afterwards of a floe under which it was carried by the current.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xii. 93 It is often necessary to clear or straighten the hawser after its attachment.
†b. To get (any one) clear of a place. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > be far from [verb (transitive)] > keep at a distance from something
overboweOE
forbowa1000
large1511
cleara1616
to keep awaya1616
to steer clear of1723
to give a good, clear, or (usually since 1800) wide berth to1753
keep a wide berth of1855
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 439 I will..by twoes, and threes, at seuerall Posternes, Cleare them o' th' Citie. View more context for this quotation
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie iii. sig. Fff5 Having cleared ourselves of so much of this Mountain as lay before us on our way, we passe over to Palestine.
16. To pass (an obstruction, etc.) without entanglement or collision; to pass clear of; to get clear through or away from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > without entanglement or collision
clear1634
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 33 Ere she could cleere the passage, Assaph Chawn met with Sultan Seriare.
1656 J. Hammond Leah & Rachel (1844) 11 Expect the Ship somewhat troubled and in a hurliburly, untill ye cleer the lands end.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 316 Had the Wind continued..we should have found it difficult to have cleared that Coast.
1804 W. Monson in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 528 We had just cleared the ravines when the enemy's cavalry made a desperate charge.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xxii. 178 A moment after, the ice drove by, just clearing our stern.
17.
a. To leap clear over; to pass over (a distance).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > cause to jump [verb (transitive)] > leap, spring, or jump over
leapc900
overleapeOE
freea1578
overjump1604
jump1609
overskip1629
fly1719
top1735
spring?a1775
clear1791
overbound1813
over1837
overspring1847
leap-frog1872
vault1884
society > travel > [verb (transitive)] > traverse a distance or ground
runeOE
overcomeOE
meteOE
through-gangOE
passc1300
to pass over ——c1300
overpassc1325
tracec1381
travela1393
traverse?a1400
travelc1400
measure?a1425
walkc1450
go1483
journey1531
peragrate1542
trade1548
overspin1553
overtrace1573
tract1579
progress1587
invade1590
waste1590
wear1596
march1606
void1608
recovera1625
expatiate1627
lustrate1721
do1795
slip1817
cover1818
clear1823
track1823
itinerate1830
betravel1852
to roll off1867
1791 ‘G. Gambado’ Ann. Horsemanship vi. 26 He clears every thing with his fore legs in a capital stile.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 6 With one brave bound the copse he cleared.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. xii. 273 With a swifter pace..Captain MacTurk cleared the ground betwixt the Spring and its gay vicinity.
1835 A. W. Fonblanque Eng. under Seven Admin. (1837) III. 247 The passage..in which difficulties are cleared as fences are cleared in hunting—by a flying leap.
b. Of guns, etc.: To have free range over.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)] > have range to or over
reach1600
clear1691
1691 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. in T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 126 The Guns in the Fore-castle and steerage clear the Deck, as those of the Round-house do the Quarter deck.
VII. To free from pecuniary liabilities.
18.
a. To settle or discharge a debt, bill, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]
quit?c1225
acquita1250
to pay up1434
satisfy1437
discharge1439
defease1480
persolve1548
solve1558
defray1576
affray1584
clear1600
to pay off1607
extinguish1630
to lay downa1640
wipe1668
settle1688
sink1694
retrieve1711
to clear up1726
balance1740
liquidate1755
to clear off1766
square1821
amortize1830
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 316 All debts are cleerd betweene you and I if I might but see you at my death. View more context for this quotation
?1620 S. Rowlands Paire of Spy-knaues B iij b Next to my Taylor, and will him be heere About eleuen, and his Bill Ile cleere.
1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies ii. i. 22 If that will clear my Debt, enjoy thy wish.
1751 G. Berkeley Let. in Wks. (1871) IV. 331 I send the above bill to clear what you have expended on my account.
1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. i. 3 Money sufficient to clear all his debts.
†b. intransitive. To adjust accounts, claims, or differences with; to settle with. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement [verb (intransitive)] > with a person
conclude1462
settle1527
gree1574
compact1592
clear1609
truck1622
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > pay a creditor
satisfy1426
repaya1530
dischargea1560
clear1609
to meet with1854
straighten1946
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (intransitive)]
quit1378
recompense1742
clear1753
settle1788
square1821
to straighten up1914
1609 S. Daniel Civile Wares (rev. ed.) viii. lxi. 219 How he might cleare with her, and stop report.
1615 R. Boyle Diary (1886) I. 65 I have cleered with my plaisterers for fretting my gallery.
1753 T. Smollett Ferdinand Count Fathom II. xxxvii. 11 It was the custom..for the client to clear with his attorney before trial.
1796 J. G. Stedman Narr. Exped. Surinam II. xxx. 393 On the 18th the troops were finally cleared with, and paid their remaining arrears (cf. clearings).
19.
a. transitive. To set free from debt, or pecuniary embarrassment.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] > clear of debt
outquit1440
outred1456
clear1704
1704 W. Penn in Mem. Hist. Soc. Pennsylvania (1870) IX. 343 To clear our encumbered estate.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. viii. iv. 325 I did not say that that sum would clear me.
1885 Law Times 79 328/1 Moneys granted..for the purpose of clearing the great orator's estate, which was insolvent.
b. absol. (for reflexive)
ΚΠ
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 112 He that cleeres at once will relapse:..But hee that cleereth by degrees, induceth an habite of frugality, and gaineth aswell vpon his minde as vpon his estate.
20.
a. To free (a ship or cargo) by satisfying the customs, harbour dues, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > transport by water [verb (transitive)] > free (a ship or cargo) at customs
clear1703
1703 London Gaz. No. 3924/4 All her Cargo being unladen and cleared.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. To clear goods, to pay the custom-house dues and duties.
b. absol. or intransitive in same sense; hence, to leave a port under such conditions.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (intransitive)] > set out on a voyage > leave port > having paid dues
to clear out1758
clear1807
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > shipping dues > [verb (intransitive)] > free ship or cargo by paying dues
clear1807
1807 R. Wilson Jrnl. 15 July in Life Gen. Sir R. Wilson (1862) II. viii. 319 The English ships are all clearing as fast as possible from Memel under an apprehension that Buonaparte may send an order to detain them.
1885 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 11 July 146/1 The ship loaded the coals..and, having cleared at the custom-house, started on her voyage to Bombay.
1889 Daily News 13 Apr. 2/5 The steamer..cleared at Christiania..bound for New York.
21. transitive. To gain or make in clear profit.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > get or make money [verb (transitive)] > be profitable to > make in profit
winc1175
gain1530
advantage1557
lucre1570
superlucrate1652
cleara1719
realize1720
net1765
to clean up1831
mop1861
gross1884
to cash in1904
a1719 J. Addison in Wks. (1888) I. 536 He clears but two hundred thousand crowns a year.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 302 A Captain might thus clear several thousands of pounds by a short voyage.
22. To defray at once (all the charges of any business); to pass one free through (toll-gates, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > duty on goods > imposition or collecting of duties on goods > exact duty on [verb (transitive)] > allow to pass without paying
clear1829
1829 R. Southey Pilgrim to Compostella Introd., in All for Love 157 Tickets there were given To clear all toll gates on the way.
23. To pass (a bill, cheque, through-ticket) through the Clearing-House.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > banking > bank [verb (transitive)] > pass through clearing house
clear1868
1868 J. E. T. Rogers Man. Polit. Econ. (1876) xi. 148 Many millions in value of such bills [of exchange] are weekly cleared through the London bankers.

Phrasal verbs

With adverbs: to clear away
1. transitive. To remove, leave the place, so as to clear. absol., to remove the remains of a meal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away
kill?c1225
purge1340
void1390
roota1398
devoida1400
rida1450
betwechec1450
redd1479
to make (clean, quick, etc.) riddance1528
expurge1542
vacuate1572
free1599
cleanse1628
rede1638
to clear out1655
dress1701
to clear away1711
to clear off1766
dissaturate1866
cancel1990
the world > food and drink > food > serving food > removal of dishes > [verb (intransitive)] > clear table
to draw the boardc1330
to draw the clothc1330
to draw the tablec1330
to take awaya1475
to take up the tablea1513
to take off1599
to clear away1711
clear1914
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 112. ¶1 Sunday clears away the Rust of the whole Week.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) vii. 71 The waiters withdrew to ‘clear away,’ or in other words, to appropriate to their own private use..remnants of the eatables and drinkables.
1837 F. Marryat Snarleyyow (ed. 2) II. xv. 293 Smallbones..asked his master, as he cleared away, whether he should keep the red-herring for the next day.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §27. 211 I had a man to clear away the snow.
1873 J. Morley Rousseau I. 5 Clearing away the overgrowth of errors.
1964 J. Fleming Chill & Kill v. 59 Charming girls..anxious to please..clearing away and even offering to mow the tiny lawn.
†2. To pay out (a line) free from entanglement.
ΚΠ
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World ii. 17 One George Gayny took the end of a Line, and made it fast about his Neck, and left the other end ashore, and one man stood by the Line, to clear it away to him.
3. intransitive. Of clouds, fog, etc.: To pass away and leave clearness behind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear > pass away (of clouds, fog, etc.)
to clear away1805
to clear off1816
1805 A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. III. 202 About five it cleared away, and we saw L'Hercule to leeward.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 159 We had a fog which never once cleared away for fifteen days.
1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lxxi. 78 The morning mist is clear'd away, Yet still the face of heaven is gray.
 to clear off
1. transitive. To remove (an encumbrance) so as to leave a thing clear; to get rid of (a debt or claim) by settling it.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]
quit?c1225
acquita1250
to pay up1434
satisfy1437
discharge1439
defease1480
persolve1548
solve1558
defray1576
affray1584
clear1600
to pay off1607
extinguish1630
to lay downa1640
wipe1668
settle1688
sink1694
retrieve1711
to clear up1726
balance1740
liquidate1755
to clear off1766
square1821
amortize1830
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away
kill?c1225
purge1340
void1390
roota1398
devoida1400
rida1450
betwechec1450
redd1479
to make (clean, quick, etc.) riddance1528
expurge1542
vacuate1572
free1599
cleanse1628
rede1638
to clear out1655
dress1701
to clear away1711
to clear off1766
dissaturate1866
cancel1990
1766 S. Clark Leadbetter's Royal Gauger (ed. 6) ii. iv. 250 [The common Brewer, Inn-keeper, etc.] are obliged to pay and clear off the Duty within the Week or Month after such entries are made.
1842 M. Milner Life I. Milner xiii. 242 To ‘clear off’, as he used to say, some of his unanswered letters.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 215 A mortgage for a thousand pounds was cleared off by a bag of counters made out of old kettles.
1883 Manch. Examiner 12 Dec. 5/1 To clear off the stocks which depress the market.
2. intransitive. Of clouds, fog, etc.: To go off so as to leave clearness. Of intruders (colloquial): To be off and leave the place clear. Also in wider sense (= to clear out 4 at Phrasal verbs), to take oneself off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > so as to leave the place clear
clear1805
to clear off1816
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear > pass away (of clouds, fog, etc.)
to clear away1805
to clear off1816
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > so as to leave the place clear
clear1805
to clear off1888
1816 U. Brown Jrnl. in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1916) 11 365 [I] called to her [sc. a mare] and flattered her to come back; she would not; clear'd off and left me.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xi. 25 On the sixth it cleared off, and the sun came out bright.
1854 H. Rogers Ess. (1860) II. 7 The clouds..will clear-off before the summit is reached.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany vii. 92 The rain soon cleared off.
1888 J. Rickaby Moral Philos. 205 To warn the visitor to clear off.
 to clear out
1. transitive. To take or throw out so as to leave the place clear.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > clearing of refuse matter > clear of refuse [verb (transitive)] > clear (refuse)
winnowa900
to clear out1655
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away
kill?c1225
purge1340
void1390
roota1398
devoida1400
rida1450
betwechec1450
redd1479
to make (clean, quick, etc.) riddance1528
expurge1542
vacuate1572
free1599
cleanse1628
rede1638
to clear out1655
dress1701
to clear away1711
to clear off1766
dissaturate1866
cancel1990
1655 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 189 The gates..shalbe pulled up, taken away and cleered out.
1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. II. 82 Finally they were all cleared out as rubbish.
2. To empty and leave clear. slang. To rid of cash, to ‘clean out’.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > financial loss > lose money [verb (transitive)]
drop1676
sink1777
to clear out1850
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out
rede1450
banisha1513
to clear out1850
to clean the board1884
the mind > possession > poverty > make poor or impoverish [verb (transitive)]
destroy1297
poverisha1382
apoora1400
impover1418
poora1425
dispurveyc1430
impoverish1440
beggar1528
weaken1530
ruinate1547
ruin1560
depauper1562
depoverish1569
craze1573
soak1577
sift1591
waste1599
impoor1613
uncluea1616
depauperate1623
disenrich1647
necessitate1647
erumnate1676
straiten1699
poorify1711
pauperize1806
pauperate1839
pauper1841
to clear out1884
immiserate1956
penny-pincha1961
immiserize1971
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. v. 50 The luck turned from that minute..Came away cleared out, leaving that infernal check behind me.
1869 J. Phillips Vesuvius iii. 49 A considerable ejection of ashes occurred, which cleared out the crater.
1884 Illustr. London News Christmas No. 6/2 He cleared you out that night, old man.
3. To pass through the process of clearing on leaving port. (With various constructions.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (intransitive)] > set out on a voyage > leave port > having paid dues
to clear out1758
clear1807
1758 J. Blake Plan Marine Syst. 57 When an outward-bound merchant ship is manned and cleared out.
1818 B. O'Reilly Greenland 152 The masters of whale ships are forbidden by a solemn oath..before clearing out the voyage, to seek nothing but blubber.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 485 Every merchant ship that cleared out from the Thames or the Severn.
4. intransitive. colloquial. To depart out of a place, be off, take oneself off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)]
to come awayeOE
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
awayOE
dealc1000
goOE
awendOE
rimeOE
to go one's wayOE
flitc1175
depart?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
to turn awaya1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
recede1450
roomc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
avaunt1549
trudge1562
vade?1570
discoast1571
leave1593
wag1594
to go off1600
troop1600
hence1614
to set on one's foota1616
to pull up one's stumps1647
quit1811
to clear out1816
slope1830
to walk one's chalks1835
shove1844
to roll out1850
to pull out1855
to light out1859
to take a run-out powder1909
to push off (also along)1923
1816 U. Brown Jrnl. in Maryland Hist. Mag. 11 231 I had got my horse ready to mount and clear out for Baltimore.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. 151 Like many a hero before him, he ‘cleared out’.
1861 H. D. Thoreau Let. 3 May in Corr. (1958) 615 The Doctor..tells me that I must ‘clear out’, to the West Indies, or elsewhere.
1885 Truth 28 May 847 I would have the Canal under the control of an International Commission..and then I would clear out of the country.
 to clear up
1. transitive. To make clear (what has become overcast); to brighten up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > make cheerful [verb (transitive)] > make face or eyes cheerful
to clear up1594
uncloud?1594
lighten1605
irradiate1651
light1761
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus i. i. 263 Cleare vp faire Queene that cloudy countenance. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 434 The birds..Clear'd up their choicest notes in bush and spray. View more context for this quotation
1685 J. Dryden tr. Horace Odes i. xxix. 24 in Wks. (1882–92) A savoury dish, a homely treat, Where all is plain, where all is neat, Clear up the cloudy foreheads of the great.
2. intransitive. To become clear; esp. of the weather after rain or storm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear
clearc1374
to clear up1627
uncloud1793
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 41 It cleares vp, set your fore-saile.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 195 The weather clears up a little. View more context for this quotation
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. iv. 56 His Excellency observed my Countenance to clear up.
1843 W. M. Thackeray Irish Sketch-bk. I. ix. 183 The day did not clear up sufficiently to allow me to make any long excursion.
3. transitive. To put into order by clearing away obstructions, rubbish, etc.; to ‘tidy up’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > put in order or tidy
redeOE
slick1340
redda1500
prepare1585
spruce1594
rid1599
snod1608
to clear up1762
snug1787
ted1811
tidy1821
side1825
fix1832
to pick up1853
mense1859
straighten1867
square1909
neaten1942
1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. ii. xii. 227 The plough..follows, and clears up the furrows.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxviii. 95 Not a letter was read until we had cleared up decks for the night.
1885 Manch. Examiner 15 June 5/5 To clear up the mess of difficulties.
4. intransitive. To come into order from confusion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > come into order [verb (intransitive)]
to clear up1749
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. xiii. 105 The House began again to clear up from the Hurry which this Accident had occasioned. View more context for this quotation
5. transitive. To make clear and lucid (to the mind); to elucidate.
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
a1691 R. Boyle Wks. (1772) I. 521 By mystical terms, and ambiguous phrases, he darkens what he should clear up.
1734 G. Berkeley Analyst §21 In order therefore to clear up this point.
1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds iv. 54 You have cleared up the matter completely.
1860 W. Collins Woman in White i. vi. 25 We must really clear up this mystery, in some way.
6. intransitive. To become perspicuous or lucid.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > clearness, lucidity > become clear [verb (intransitive)]
to bear in1637
to speak (also express, tell) volumes1803
to clear up1875
to come together1907
1875 E. White Life in Christ (1878) Pref. 12 My early ideas have somewhat cleared up in certain directions in the course of subsequent reflection.
7. transitive. To settle or adjust (debts, accounts).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]
quit?c1225
acquita1250
to pay up1434
satisfy1437
discharge1439
defease1480
persolve1548
solve1558
defray1576
affray1584
clear1600
to pay off1607
extinguish1630
to lay downa1640
wipe1668
settle1688
sink1694
retrieve1711
to clear up1726
balance1740
liquidate1755
to clear off1766
square1821
amortize1830
1726 G. Berkeley Let. 20 Jan. in Wks. (1871) IV. 120 It is an infinite shame that the debts are not cleared up and paid.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.adv.n.1297v.c1340
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