clarify
/ˈklarɪfʌɪ
/verb (clarifies, clarifying, clarified) [with object]
1Make (a statement or situation) less confused and more comprehensible: the report managed to clarify the government’s position...
- She was not available for comment, or to clarify the exact circumstances surrounding the case.
- A further consultation was required to clarify the situation and restore trust.
- I hope that clarifies the situation for members.
Synonyms
make clear, shed light on, throw light on, elucidate, illuminate, make plain, make simple, simplify;
explain, explicate, define, spell out;
clear up, sort out, resolve
2 (often as adjective clarified) Melt (butter) in order to separate out the impurities: seal the pots with a layer of clarified butter...
- Ghee, which is clarified butter, is another commonly used recipe item and is often used for frying.
- Clarifying butter removes the water and milk solids, leaving pure butterfat.
- The cooked and clarified butter is then spooned off to avoid disturbing the milk solids on the bottom of the pan.
Synonyms
purify, refine;
filter, make clear;
melt (down), render
technical fine
Derivatives
clarifier
/ nounOrigin
Middle English (in the senses 'set forth clearly' and 'make pure and clean'): from Old French clarifier, from late Latin clarificare, from Latin clarus 'clear'.