Clear a., adv. and sb. World English Historical Dictionary

Clear a., adv. and sb. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. Clear a., adv. and sb. Forms: 3–5 cler, (4 clier, clyre, clyer), 4–7 clere, 4–8 cleer, 5–7 cleere, (5 clure, 6 cleir, clar), 6–7 cleare, (8–9 dial. clair), 6– clear. [ME. cler, a. OF. cler (11–16th c.; 14th– clair), corresp. to Pr. clar, Sp. claro, It. chiaro:—L. clār-um bright, clear, manifest, plain, brilliant, illustrious, famous, etc. Senses 1–13 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, 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.]

1   I.  Of light, color, things illuminated.

2   1.  † a. orig. Expressing the vividness or intensity of light: Brightly shining, bright, brilliant.

3 1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 416. Ther come … a leme swythe cler & bryȝte.

4 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Moder of God, 29. O blessed lady, the cleer light of day.

5 1393.  Gower, Conf., III. 129. The first sterre Aldeboran, the clerest and the most of alle.

6 1450–1530.  Myrr. Our Ladye, 210. The lyghte of the sonne is moche more clerer then the lyghte of the morow tyde.

7 1611.  Bible, Song Sol. vi. 10. Faire as the moone, cleare as the sunne.

8 1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 840. And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass Gaz’d hot.

9   b.  Now expressing the purity or uncloudedness of light; clear fire, a fire in full combustion without flame or smoke. Also used with adjs., as clear white, brown, etc.

10 1611.  Bible, 2 Sam. xxiii. 4. The tender grasse springing out of the earth by cleare shining after raine.

11 1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. i. 226. This infant Clowd … Darkning my cleere Sunne.

12 1796.  Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, iii. 24. Take care your fire is clear.

13 1814.  Wordsw., White Doe, VII. 96. A Doe most beautiful, clear-white.

14 1888.  Cassell’s Dict. Cookery, Introd. 17. If a cook … has a good clear fire.

15 Mod.  This oil burns with a clearer flame.

16   fig.  1818.  Cruise, Digest, V. 364. The nature of an action of ejection … would appear in a clearer light.

17   2.  a. Of the day, daylight, etc.: Fully light, bright; opposed to dusk or twilight. arch.

18 c. 1320.  Sir Beues, 755. A morwe, whan hit was dai cler, Ariseþ kniȝt and squier.

19 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 267/1. He endyted the lettre by clere day.

20 1535.  Coverdale, 1 Sam. xiv. 36. Spoyle them tyll it be cleare mornynge, that we let none escape. Ibid., Amos viii. 9. I shall cause … the londe to be darcke in the cleare-day.

21 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 100. It was done in the cleare day light.

22 1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. ii. 226. Come away, it is almost cleere dawne.

23 1871.  R. Ellis, Catullus, lxiv. 408. Bear not daylight clear upon immortality breathing.

24   † b.  Of the weather: orig. Full of sunshine, bright, ‘fine’; serene, ‘fair.’ Obs. (Cf. to clear up.)

25 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xvi. 2. Ȝe seien, It shal be cleer, for the heuene is lijk to reed.

26 c. 1400.  Maundev., iii. 17. And abouen at the cop of the hille [Athos] is the Eir so cleer that men may fynde no wynd there.

27 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 81. Clere, as wedur ys bryghte, clarus, serenus.

28 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 210. The weather was fayre, cleere, and temperate. Ibid., 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.

29 1633.  T. James, Voy., 78. It was pretty and cleere.

30   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.

31 1297.  R. Glouc. (1724), 41. Þat heo myȝte oft y se, in cler weder, þere Est ward, as þe sonne a ros, a lond as yt were.

32 1393.  Gower, Conf., I. 35. Now cloudy and now clere it is.

33 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 276. If the day had bene clere, there had not escaped a man.

34 1699.  Dampier, Voy., II. III. Disc. on Winds, etc. vii. 86. We commonly find it Cloudy over the Land, tho’ ’tis clear every where beside.

35 1774.  Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), I. 278. Their remains continue still visible at the bottom of the water in a clear day.

36 1872.  E. Peacock, Mabel Heron, I. ix. 141. A clear, frosty evening.

37   d.  fig. Serene, cheerful; of unclouded countenance or spirit. Obs. or arch.

38 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., II. iv. 45. Þou … shalt leden a cleer age.

39 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 208/4. Paule … enduryng in agonye and alle wey apperid clere.

40 1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., III. ii. 61. You, the murderer, look as bright, as cleare, As yonder Venus.

41 1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 336. Sternly he pronounc’d The rigid interdiction … but soon his cleer aspect Return’d.

42 1726.  Shelvocke, Voy. round World (1757), 76. Enough to cast a damp upon the clearest spirits.

43 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, III. x. His brow grew as clear as the blue sky above him.

44   3.  Allowing light to pass through, transparent.

45 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11705. A well vte-brast, wid strem suete, clere, and cald.

46 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 2541. Clerire [v.r. clerar] þan cristall.

47 1576.  Fleming, Panoplie Ep., A. A cleere looking glasse rendreth a lively and perfect representation.

48 1584.  R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XIII. xix. 258. Diverse kinds of glasses … the coloured and the cleare glasses.

49 1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 458. To look into the cleer Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.

50 1798.  Coleridge, Anc. Mar., VI. xvi. The harbour-bay was clear as glass.

51   b.  Of colored liquids, etc.; Translucent, pellucid, free from sediment, not turbid or opaque.

52 1483.  Cath. Angl., 66. Clere as ale or wyne.

53 1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 378. A Bottle of Beer … became more lively, better tasted and clearer than it was.

54 1745.  Swift, Direct. Servants, Butler. A dozen or two of good clear wine.

55 1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), Introd. p. xvii. Drink only Water, if it agrees with your Stomach; If not, good clear Small-beer.

56 1799.  G. Smith, Laboratory, I. 389. Having another tub ready at hand, with a clear lye, rinse your silk.

57 1838.  Dickens, O. Twist, xxiii. Real, fresh, genuine port-wine … clear as a bell, and no sediment.

58   4.  Bright or shining, as polished illuminated surfaces; lustrous. (Now expressing esp. purity and evenness of luster).

59 a. 1300.  Fragm. Pop. Sc. (Wright), 84. The mone … bileveth cler towards the sonne, thother del al blac.

60 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 28. Tuenti pounde of gold be ȝere, þre hundreth of siluer clere.

61 1340.  Ayenb., 167. Gold þet þe more hit is ine uere: þe more hit is clene, and clyer, and tretable.

62 c. 1420.  Anturs of Arth., xxix. A croune cumly … clure to behold.

63 1475.  Caxton, Jason, 30. His good swerd that was clere and trenchaunt.

64 1652.  Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 192. The teeth … are as white and clear as Ivorie.

65 1753.  W. Stewart, in Scots Mag., March, 133/2. A dark-coloured coat with clear buttons.

66 1841–4.  Emerson, Ess. Spir. Laws, Wks. (Bohn), I. 66. His eye is as clear as the heavens.

67   † b.  gen. Bright, splendid, brilliant. Obs.

68 c. 1340.  Cursor M., 8917 (Trin.). Sende was þere an aungel clere And vp to heuen her soule bere.

69 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. VI. 75. A Court Cleer as þe Sonne.

70 1382.  Wyclif, Ezek. xxvi. 12. Thi ful clere [præclaras] housis. Ibid., Jam. ii. 3. Clothid with ful cleer [præclara] clooth.

71 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1825, Lucrece. This lady … al discheuele with hire herys cleere.

72 c. 1410[?].  Sir Cleges, 365. Sir Cleges … schewed the kynge the cheryse clere.

73   fig.  1382.  Wyclif, Wisd. vi. 13. Wisdam is cler [1611 glorious], and that neuere welewith.

74 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 411. Þe monkes … were of cleer religioun [splendidæ religionis] in God.

75   † c.  A common epithet of women: Beautiful, beauteous, fair. Obs.

76 c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 116. Both erlys and harnesse and ladyes cler.

77 c. 1430.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 56. Vp þei baren þat maiden cleere.

78 a. 1440.  Sir Degrev., 1550. The bold bachylere Toke the damysele clere.

79 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, X. iv. 94. Manthus the lady cleir.

80 1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, VI. i. 656. The cleare and pleasant Venus.

81   d.  Of the complexion, skin, etc.: Bright, fresh, and of pure color; blooming: in modern use, esp. implying purity or transparency of the surface skin, and absence of freckles, discoloring spots, or ‘muddiness’ of complexion.

82 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 7365. In visage es he bright and clere.

83 c. 1440.  York Myst., xxx. 41. The coloure of my corse is full clere.

84 1571.  Campion, Hist. Irel., I. vi. (1633), 17. Cleare men they are of Skinne and hue.

85 1592.  Constable, Sonn., IV. x. Maid of cleere mould.

86 1698.  Vanbrugh, Prov. Wife, I. ii. Without vanity, I look’d extremely clear last night, when I went to the park.

87 1801.  J. Hutchinson, in Med. Jrnl., V. 360. Persons of delicate fibres, of smooth, lax, and clear skin.

88 1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. iii. 174. Her complexion was clear, but quite olive.

89   † 5.  fig. Illustrious. [So L. clārus.] Obs.

90 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., II. ii. 36. Wiþ noble or clere honours.

91 1382.  Wyclif, Judith xvi. 16. A gret God thou art, and beforn alle cleer in thi vertue. Ibid., 1 Macc. ii. 17. Thou art prince, and most cleer.

92 1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 89. He hade mony clere victories.

93 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 83/2. Judith retorned … and was made more grete and cleer to alle men.

94 1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 73. Thinke that the cleerest Gods, who make them Honors Of mens Impossibilities, haue preserued thee.

95   II.  Of vision, perception, discernment.

96   6.  Of lines, marks, divisions: Clearly seen, distinct, well-marked, sharp.

97 1835.  W. Irving, Tour Prairies, 230. A prairie…, extending in a clear blue line along the horizon.

98 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, VI. xvi. 316. The leaves covered with notes and remarks, in a stiff clear hand.

99 1872.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 23. No prophet all false has succeeded in separating a nation into two clear divisions.

100 1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 128. [Coins] with a low but sharp and clear impression.

101 1882.  J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 2. Traced out in clear outline.

102   7.  Of words, statements, explanations, meaning: Easy to understand, fully intelligible, free from obscurity of sense, perspicuous.

103 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11615 (Cott.). Þan com þe propheci al cler.

104 c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 26. Þat þus of clannesse vn-closez a ful cler speche.

105 1533.  More, Answ. Poisoned Bk., Wks. 1055/2. The clere fayth and sentence of al the holy doctors.

106 1615.  Bedwell, Moham. Impost., III. § 108. The words are cleare and plaine.

107 1688.  Bunyan, Jerus. Sinner Saved (1886), 17. The text is as clear as the sun; for it saith, ‘Begin at Jerusalem.’

108 1751.  Jortin, Serm. (1771), I. v. 84. The Ten Commandments therefore are clear.

109 1849.  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?

110 1860.  Maury, Phys. Geog. Sea, xii. § 540. Having … made clear the meaning of the question proposed.

111 1878.  Hopps, Princ. Relig., xvii. 55. Man himself is the clearest revelation of his Maker.

112   b.  Also transferred to the speaker or writer.

113 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 165, ¶ 1. The English cannot be too clear in their Narrative of those Actions.

114 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 319. If I have made myself clear, you will understand my original meaning.

115   8.  Of a vision, conception, notion, view, memory, etc.: Distinct, unclouded, free from confusion.

116 1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., II. v. (1495), 32. Bryghte and clere knowynge of god.

117 1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 3 b. To haue the contemplacyon & clere visyon of that moost blessed face.

118 1679.  J. Goodman, Penitent Pard., III. v. (1713), 346. Clear and satisfying notion of this separate state.

119 1690.  Locke, Hum. Und., II. xxix. (1695), 199. 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.

120 1826.  Macaulay, in Trevelyan, Life & Lett., I. iii. 144. His notions of law and government are extremely clear.

121 1872.  E. Peacock, Mabel Heron, I. vi. 97. A clear remembrance of Bill Foster’s crimes.

122   9.  Manifest to the mind or judgment, evident, plain.

123 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 55. It is cleer þat prelatis þat prechen not þus þe gospel louen not crist.

124 c. 1450.  Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 581. Euidens, cler opyn.

125 1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., III. § 1 (1604), 124 (T.). Onely vnto God … they are cleare and manifest.

126 1627.  Massinger, Gt. Dk. Florence, IV. ii. ’Tis clear as air That your ambitious hopes … gave connivance to it.

127 1794.  Paley, Evid., I. ix. § 1. This … letter contains nearly 40 clear allusions to books of the New Testament.

128 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 246. No man was invited to the Upper House whose right to sit there was not clear.

129 1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. ix. 339. In the midst of the unreality, it became clear that one man at least was serious.

130   b.  Of a case at law: Of which the solution is evident.

131 1664.  Butler, Hud., III. II. 189. Quoth Hudibras, The case is clear.

132 1805.  in East, Reports, V. 335. The Court … thought the case too clear for further argument.

133 1884.  G. Denman, in Law Reports, 29 Chanc. Div. 473. This is not quite so clear a point as the other.

134   10.  Of the eyes, and faculty of sight: Seeing distinctly, having keen perception.

135 1576.  Fleming, Panoplie Ep., 63. You, having so cleare and sharpe a sight.

136 1621–31.  Laud, Sev. Serm. (1847), 4. The eye of the prophet was clear, and saw things farther off than the present.

137 1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 706. Your Eyes that seem so cleere, Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then Op’nd and cleerd.

138 1872.  Morley, Voltaire (1886), 7. His sight was exquisitely keen and clear.

139   11.  Of the faculty of discernment: That sees, discerns or judges without confusion of ideas.

140 1340.  Ayenb., 24. Clier wyt, wel uor to understonde.

141 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 2372. Of witt clerest.

142 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 81. Clere of wytt & vndyrstondy[n]ge, perspicax.

143 1580.  Sidney, Arcadia, I. (1590), 48. Receive a cleere understanding.

144 1662.  Fuller, Worthies (1840), II. 536. A good patriot, of a quick and clear spirit.

145 1709.  Pope, Ess. Crit., III. 732. The dearest head, and the sincerest heart.

146 1856.  Sir B. Brodie, Psychol. Inq., I. i. 29. The faculty of reasoning correctly (or what is commonly called having a clear head) if for the most part a natural gift.

147 a. 1862.  Buckle, Misc. Wks. (1872), I. 168. Clear thinkers always have a clear style.

148   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 c. Fr.]

149 1604.  Hieron, Wks. (1624), I. 500. I am cleere in it, that many then in that darkness did … ‘See day at a very little hole.’

150 1628.  Sir B. Ruddierd, in Fuller, Ephemeris Parl. (1654), 155. I am clear, without scruple, that what we have resolved is according to law.

151 1645.  Pagitt, Heresiogr. (1661), 208. He is so cleer for the abolishing of the Jewes day, and the succeeding of the Lord’s day.

152 1727.  J. Asgill, Metamorph. Man, 27. His disciples were not so clear in their belief of him.

153 1768.  Ross, Helenore, 67 (Jam.). Dwell ye there? That of their dwelling ye’re so very clair.

154 1769.  Mrs. Harris, in Lett. 1st Earl Malmesb. (1870), I. 179. I am not clear as to the particulars.

155 c. 1776.  A. Murphy, in G. Colman, Posth. Lett. (1820), 204. Of this I am clear, that, if it stood over to another year [etc.].

156 1791.  Boswell, Johnson, an. 1781, Mch. 30. We were, by a great majority, clear for the experiment.

157 1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 142. Being clear in the operation … I proceeded to the business without apprehension of difficulty.

158 1815.  Mad. D’Arblay, Diary & Lett. (1846), VII. 181. About the middle of July—but I am not clear of the date.

159 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, ii. 25. I … am not clear on the point.

160 1842.  J. H. Newman, Ch of Fathers, 106. You may be clear … with whom it is fitting to hold communion.

161 1849–50.  Alison, Hist. Europe, XII. lxxix. 78. Moreau … was clear for reverting to the Constitution of 1792.

162 1853–9.  Macaulay, Biog. (1860), Introd. 10. I am not clear that the object is a good one.

163 1867.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. App. 763. I am not quite clear about the date.

164 1884.  Manch. Exam., 21 May, 5/1. As to the necessity of including Ireland in its scope he was clear.

165   III.  Of sound.

166   13.  Of sounds, voice: Ringing, pure and well-defined, unmixed with dulling or interfering noises; distinctly audible.

167 c. 1300.  Beket, 1097. In a visioun ther com A cler voiz.

168 1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxxi. (1495), 942. The voys is clere that sownyth well and ryngeth wythout ony holownesse.

169 c. 1475[?].  Sqr. lowe Degre, 61. Notes clere.

170 1500.  Dunbar, Gold. Targe, 129. And sang ballettis with michty notis clere.

171 1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., IV. ii. 114. Cracke my cleere voyce with sobs.

172 1674.  Playford, Skill Mus., I. v. 20. Observe that in the Tuning of your Voyce you strive to have it cleer.

173 1708.  Pope, St. Cecilia’s Day, 12. Hark! the numbers soft and clear, Gently steal upon the ear.

174 1836.  Dubourg, Violin, ix. (1878), 270. His instruments give a round and clear tone from the first and second strings, but are dull on the third.

175 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, IX. ix. A clear, open, manly voice cried—.

176   IV.  Of moral purity, innocence.

177   14.  fig. from 3: Pure, guileless, unsophisticated.

178 1382.  Wyclif, 2 Pet. iii. 1. This secounde epistle, in which I stire ȝoure cleer [v.r. clene] soule in monestinge to gydere.

179 1636.  Sir H. Blount, Voy. Levant (1637), 114. Nothing corrupts cleare wits more then desperate fortunes.

180 1637.  Milton, Lycidas, 70. Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise.

181 1791.  Burke, App. Whigs, Wks. VI. 184. Men of clear honour.

182 1856.  Trevelyan, in G. O. Trevelyan, Macaulay (1876), II. xv. 479. A life, every action of which was clear and transparent.

183   15.  Unspotted, unsullied; free from fault, offence or guilt; innocent. Cf. CLEAN a.

184 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 5088. Fro foly Love to kepe hem clere.

185 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. clxii. 200. A great company … who were also departed fro the felde with clere handes. Ibid. (1534), Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), Nn iij. Not a clere louer but a thefe.

186 1605.  Shaks., Macb., I. vii. 18. Duncane … hath bin So cleere in his great Office.

187 1611.  Bible, 2 Cor. vii. 11. In all things yee haue approued your selues to be cleare in this matter.

188 1659.  Sir H. Vane, in Burton, Diary (1828), IV. 271. Were not divers of them hanged? Was not that an argument that the rest are clear?

189 1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 153. No: none are clear, And none than we more guilty.

190   b.  Const. of, from.

191 1552.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Ordering of Deacons, Vntyl suche tyme as the partie accused, shal trye himself clere of that cryme.

192 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 37. Cleare she dide from blemish criminall.

193 1611.  Bible, Susanna 46. I am cleare [1535 Coverd. clene] from the blood of this woman. Ibid. (1885) (Revised), Ps. xix. 13. I shall be clear from great transgression.

194   V.  Of free, unencumbered condition.

195   16.  Of income, gain, etc.: Free from any encumbrance, liability, deduction or abatement; unencumbered; net.

196 c. 1500.  Debate Carp. Tools, in Halliwell, Nugæ Poeticæ, 14.        I schall hym helpe within this ȝere To gete hym xx.ti merke clere.

197 1590.  Swinburne, Treat. Test., 184. My executors, to whom I bequeath the rest of my cleare goodes.

198 1625.  Burges, Pers. Tithes, 1. The Tenth part of all his cleere Gaines.

199 1696.  Southerne, Oroonoko, I. i. A clear estate, no charge upon it.

200 1714.  Swift, Imit. Horace, Sat. II. 6. I’ve often wish’d that I had clear For life, six hundred pounds a year.

201 1817.  Cobbett, Wks., XXXII. 20. It was a clear thousand a year for doing little or nothing.

202 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Berkeley B., I. iv. 80. It seems to be a clear loss to use them unproductively.

203   † b.  Sheer, mere, bare, unaided. Obs.

204 1614.  Bp. Hall, Heaven upon Earth, 119. I have seene one man by the helpe of a little engine lift up that weight alone which fortie helping hands by their cleare strength might have endeavored in vain.

205   17.  Free from all limitation, qualification, question or shortcoming; absolute, complete; entire, pure, sheer. Cf. CLEAN.

206 1529.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. Wks. 1212/1. Those Christen countreys … he … reckeneth for clere conquest, and vtterly taketh for his owne.

207 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 106. The cleare possession of all the realme of England to him and his heyres for ever. Ibid., Edw. IV., II. 665. To sayle vnto Englande, for the cleere finishing of the same [a matrimonial alliance].

208 1635.  Brome, Sparagus Gard., 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.

209 1661.  Marvell, Corr., xxx. Wks. 1872–5, II. 73. We are giuen to belieue by those who retard the Act of Indemnity, that it shall passe cleare.

210 1681.  Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m., xl. § 20 (1689), 296. For his more clearer satisfaction.

211 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Josephus’ Antiq., VIII. vi. (1733), 221. You will find in all Respects the clear contrary.

212   18.  Free from encumbering contact; disengaged, unentangled, out of reach, quite free; quit, rid.

213 1658–9.  in Burton’s Diary (1828), III. 331. I am free and clear to debate.

214 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1784), Clear, as a naval term … is expressed of cordage, cables, &c. when they are unembarrassed or disentangled so as to be ready for immediate service. It is usually opposed to foul.

215 1823.  Scoresby, N. Whale Fishery, 303. We slacked the ship astern until it [an iceberg] was quite clear ahead, and had placed itself across the bows.

216   a.  with from.

217 1576.  Fleming, Panoplie Ep., 125. That Trebianus may be set cleare from danger.

218 1693.  Dryden, Juvenal, Ded. viii. (1697), (T.). He who is .. clear from any [faults] in his own Writings.

219 1785.  Burke, Let. Ld. Thurlow, Corr. (1844), III. 36. My motives are clear from private interest.

220 1815.  Scribbleomania, 135. May I from shoals and from quicksands get clear!

221   b.  with of. Quit, rid, free.

222 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 389. Fearyng insurrection of the Commons, which were not all clere of their Melancholy.

223 1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., IV. i. 4. Let me be cleere of thee.

224 1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, xv. (1840), 266. We were clear of the isles.

225 1732.  Pope, Ep. Bathurst, 279. Of debts and taxes, wife and children, clear.

226 1866.  G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., ix. (1878), 135. Stooping his tall form to get his gray head clear of the low archway.

227 1870.  E. Peacock, Ralf Skirl., III. 101. As soon as the house was clear of the representatives of the law.

228   c.  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.

229 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 134. How to get cleere of all the debts I owe. Ibid. (1602), Ham., IV. vi. 19. On the instant they got cleare of our Shippe.

230 1627.  Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xiii. 61. Cut any thing to get cleare.

231 1699.  Dampier, Voy., II. III. Disc. on Winds, etc. i. 3. These constant Trade-Winds usually blow … 30 or 40 Leagues off at Sea, clear from any Land.

232 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 38, ¶ 4. To get clear of such a light Fondness for Applause.

233 1713.  Guardian, No. 1, ¶ 5. If I can keep clear of these two evils.

234 1722.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 248. We came clear of the suburbs. Ibid. (1725), Voy. round World (1840), 90. Twice she struck upon the rocks, but she did but touch, and went clear.

235 1737.  Common Sense (1738), I. 25. The handsomest Women … keep the clearest from these Extravagancies.

236 1745.  P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 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.

237 1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xi. 25. We got clear of the islands before sunrise.

238 1853.  Lytton, My Novel, VIII. vii. He is safest from shoals who steers clearest of his—relations.

239 1866.  J. Martineau, Ess., I. 180. They sit perfectly clear of each other.

240 1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, xxvi. 430. Start clear on a new sort of life.

241 1885.  Law Times, LXXIX. 366/2. The curtains … will hang clear of the doors.

242   d.  With sb. of action.

243 1732.  Gentl. Instr., 75 (D.). Among the Lacedemonians, a clear [1704 clearer] Theft [i.e., in which the thief got clear off] pass’d for a Vertue.

244 1858.  Trollope, Dr. Thorne, xxxvii. (Hoppe). I want to ask you a few questions so as to make it all clear sailing between us.

245   19.  Of measurement of space or time: combining the notions of senses 17, 18.

246   a.  Of distance. Cf. C. 5.

247 1849.  Dickens, Dav. Copp., IV. xiv. A brook seventeen feet clear from side to side.

248 Mod.  The opening must measure 3 feet clear.

249   b.  Clear side (of a ship): see quot.

250 1873.  Act 36 & 37 Vict., c. 85 § 4. The term ‘clear side’ means the height from the water to the upper side of the plank of the deck.

251   c.  Clear day or days: a day or days, with no part occupied or deducted.

252 1868.  E. Yates, Rock Ahead, III. vi. There must be a clear day … before he could receive the reply.

253 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.

254 1885.  Act 48 & 49 Vict., c. 80 § 2 (b). Not less than six clear days notice of such meeting shall … [be] given.

255   20.  Free from obstructions or obstacles; unoccupied by buildings, trees, furniture, etc.; open.

256 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 375. When they perceyved that all was cleere, they went forth.

257 1584.  Greene, Myrr. Modestie, Wks. (Grosart), III. 18. Seeing the coast cleere.

258 1694.  Narborough, Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 67. There are several clear places in the Woods.

259 1707.  Curiosities Husb., 256. It should be expos’d to the clear Air, in a place not shelter’d from the Wind.

260 1716.  Pope, Ess. Homer’ Battels, II. 6 (J.). A clear Stage is left for Jupiter, to display his Omnipotence and turn the Fate of Armies alone.

261 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), M b. The sea-coast is called clear when the navigation is not interrupted, or rendered dangerous by rocks.

262 1862.  Stanley, Jew. Ch. (1877), I. ix. 181. The way was now clear to the Jordan.

263 1874.  Micklethwaite, Mod. Par. Churches, 217. The clear space west of the pews.

264   b.  Free from roughnesses, protuberances, knots, branches; = CLEAN a. 12.

265 1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., V. ix. 390. God, when he means to shave clear, chooses a razour with a sharp edge.

266 1822.  Cobbett, in Rur. Rides (1886), I. 109. I saw several oaks … with a clear stem of more than forty feet.

267   c.  Clear ship: a ship whose deck is cleared for action.

268 1745.  P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 280. It was both pleasing and surprizing to see how soon every Thing was clear for engaging. Ibid., 297. We made a clear Ship,… and put ourselves in a Posture ready for fighting.

269 1748.  Anson, Voy., II. iv. 163. We had soon a clear ship, ready for an engagement.

270   21.  Free or emptied of contents, load or cargo; empty; esp. of a ship, when discharged.

271 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 155. Never after the female is filled till she have been clear one whole year.

272 1805.  Nelson, 6 April, in Nicolas, Disp. (1846), VI. 399. One of our Transports will be clear tonight.

273   22.  Free from any encumbrance or trouble; out of debt; out of the hold of the law.

274 1655.  Sir J. Mennis & J. Smith, Musarum Deliciæ (1817), 8 (N.).        ’Tis here the people farre and neer Bring their diseases, and go clear.

275 1722.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 313. I was now a clear man.

276 1715.  Gay, What d’ye call it, II. ii. (1716), E 2 (J.). Five pounds, if rightly tipt, would set me clear.

277 1767.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 484. Thus the bankrupt becomes a clear man again.

278   23.  Free from pecuniary complications.

279 1712.  in T. W. Marsh, Early Friends in Surrey & S., xiii. 119. Things are not clear at home on his part—debts being contracted, just payment delayed.

280 a. 1714.  Burnet, Own Time (1823), I. 436. The duke of Richmond’s affairs, it was true, were not very clear.

281 a. 1843.  Southey, Roprecht the Robber, IV. I would that all my flock, like thee, Kept clear accounts with Heaven and me!

282   † 24.  slang. Very drunk. Obs.

283 1688.  Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, I. iv. Yes, really I was clear: for I do not remember what I did.

284 1690.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Clear, very Drunk.

285 1697.  Vanbrugh, Relapse, IV. iii. I suppose you are clear—you’d never play such a trick as this else.

286 1725.  New Cant. Dict.

287   25.  U.S. slang. Free from admixture, unadulterated, pure, ‘real.’ Clear grit: ‘real stuff’: see quots.

288 1837–40.  Haliburton, Clockm., Ser. III. xxxii. (Hoppe). Champaigne … if you get the clear grit, there is no mistake in it. Ibid., Ser. III. xii. Is it [a piece of land] refuse or super-fine, clear stuff or only merchantable? Ibid., Sam Slick in Engl., xxii. Solid silver, the clear thing, and no mistake.

289 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.

290   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.]

291   1.  Brightly, with effulgence; with undimmed or unclouded luster. [Cf. bright similarly used.]

292 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 291. Þe sune … schines clere.

293 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 2220, Ariadne. The stonys of hire Corone shyne clere.

294 1548.  Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Acts, 206. The glory of thy ghospell maye the clearer shyne.

295 1576.  Kinwelmersh, in Farr, S. P. Eliz. (1845), II. 293. King Phœbus shines so cleere.

296 1621.  G. Hakewill, K. Davids Vow, 188. Thereby … may … our vertues shine the clearer.

297 a. 1679.  Orrery, Mustapha, II. That her Gratitude may clearer shine.

298 1888.  T. Watts, in Sharp’s Sonn. of Cent., 247. So calm they shone and clear.

299   † 2.  In a clear or perspicuous manner; distinctly. Obs. (now CLEARLY.)

300 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9754. He mai vnder-stand al cler Þat þar es in [etc.].

301 1556.  Lauder, Tractate, 357. Merk, heir, how I haue schawin ȝow cleir The way.

302 1667.  Milton, P. L., XII. 377. Now clear I understand.

303 1688.  R. L’Estrange, Hist. Times, III. 23. He saw things clearer and clearer.

304 1690.  Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xvii. § 4. 342 (J.). Many men that reason exceeding clear and rightly, who know not how to make a Syllogism.

305 1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), II. 179. So as clearer to discern and readier to execute new matters.

306 a. 1784.  W. G. Hamilton, Parl. Logick (1808), 99. By method you understand a thing clearer.

307   † 3.  Manifestly, evidently. Obs. (now CLEARLY).

308 1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 106. This wager I wyn cléere.

309   4.  With clear voice; distinctly; CLEARLY.

310 c. 1450.  Merlin, xvi. 261. Merlin … cried high and cleer.

311 1681.  P. Rycaut, trans. Gracian’s Critick, 116. No man spake clear, equal, or without artifice.

312 1782.  Cowper, Gilpin, 204. While he spoke, a braying ass Did sing both loud and clear.

313   † 5.  Completely, quite, entirely, thoroughly; = CLEAN adv. 5. Obs.

314 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, X. xi. 55. All the victory … and chancis … May be reducit and alterat clar agane.

315 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. clxvi. 204. Who soeuer toke any prisoner, he was clere his.

316 1535.  Act 27 Hen. VIII., c. 7 § 3. Owners … haue ben clere without remedie.

317 1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 477. That all Civile discorde shoulde … be cleere forgotten.

318 a. 1682.  Sir T. Browne, Tracts (1684), 58. They cut not down clear at once, but used an after section.

319 1688.  R. L’Estrange, Hist. Times, III. 40. He is Now got into Clear Another story.

320 1690.  Locke, Govt., Wks. 1727, II. I. ii. § 6. 104. The Day is clear got.

321   b.  With away, of, out, through, over, and the like; esp. where there is some notion of getting clear of obstructions, or of escaping; = CLEAN.

322 1600.  Holland, Livy, IX. xxii. 329. The Romanes went clear away with the better [haud dubie superat].

323 1689.  Swift, Ode Temple. She soars clear out of sight.

324 1697.  Dampier, Voy. (1698), I. i. 17. A Tree to fell across the River … which we cut down, and it reach’d clear over.

325 1738.  E. S., R. L’Estrange Æsop in Verse, 161. He bit it off clear.

326 1865.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., VI. XVI. xii. 281. Collini and he … were on the edge of being clear off.

327 1880.  McCarthy, Own Times, IV. lii. 109. The fancy franchises were swept clear away.

328 1885.  Manch. Weekly Times, 12 Sept., 6/4. The thieves got clear away.

329 1883.  Stevenson, Silverado Sq. (1886), 33. It was clear in our teeth from the first.

330   6.  See other quasi-adverbial uses in A. 18 c.

331   C.  sb.

332   I.  Elliptical uses of the adjective.

333   † 1.  A fair lady, a ‘fair.’ Obs.

334 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 318. Elizabeth þat clere.

335 c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1489. I kende yow of kyssyng quod þe clere þenne.

336 c. 1440.  Bone Flor., 78, in Ritson, Metr. Rom., III. 4. Y have herde of a clere, Florens that ys feyre.

337   † 2.  Brightness, clearness. Obs.

338 1589.  Lodge, Delectable Disc. Satyre, 38 (N.). Thy cleere with cloudy darkes is scar’d.

339 1590.  Greene, Never too late (1600), 104. No cleere appeard vpon the azurd skie.

340 c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, I. 458. Twilight hid the clear.

341   † 3.  The clear part of a mirror. Obs.

342 1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xiv. 205. If the cleere of the Glasse had any peculiar shape of it owne, the Glasse could yeelde none of these shapes at all.

343   4.  Painting. (pl.) Lights as opposed to shades.

344 1814.  Month. Mag., XXXVIII. 213. You will weaken both the clears and the obscures. [Cf. CLEAR-OBSCURE.]

345   5.  Clear space, part of anything clear of the frame or setting; phr. in the clear, in interior measurement. See A. 19.

346 1715.  Desaguliers, Fires Impr., 124. Supposing … the Hole … to be 30 inches in the clear, that is, on the inside.

347 1823.  Scoresby, N. Whale Fishery, Introd. 41. A church fifty feet long, and twenty broad, in the clear.

348 1847.  F. W. Newman, Hist. Hebrew Mon., 128. Seventy cubits in the clear.

349   II.  Verbal sb. from CLEAR v.

350   6.  A clearing of the atmosphere, sky or weather.

351 1694.  Narborough, Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 22. Between nine and ten a Clock there was a fine clear, by which I saw the Land very plainly.

352 1804.  Naval Chron., XI. 168. The wind shifted … accompanied with a clear.

353   D.  Combinations.

354   1.  With the adj.: chiefly parasynthetic; as clear-aired (having clear air), clear-crested, -faced, -featured, -hearted, -limbed, -minded, -pointed, -spirited, -stemmed, -throated, -toned, -voiced, -walled, -witted, etc.

355 1596.  R. L[inche], Diella (1877), 26. Cleer-fac’d morning makes her bright vprise.

356 1634.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 129 (T.). The clear-voic’d Boys sing thrice every twenty four hours Eulogies to their Prophets Ally and Mahomet.

357 1694.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3015/4. Stolen or straid … a dark dapple bay Mare … clear Limb’d.

358 1830.  Tennyson, Isabel, i. Eyes … fed With the clear-pointed flame of chastity. Ibid., Arab. Nts., iii. Clear-stemm’d platans guard The outlet. Ibid. (1859), Lancelot & Elaine, I. 53. That clear-featured face Was lovely.

359 1870.  Bryant, Iliad, I. I. 14. The clear-toned Pylian orator.

360   2.  With the adv., as clear-dangling, -drawn, -judging, -seeing, -shining, -smiling, -spoken, -standing, -swayed, -writ, etc. (See also A. 1 b.)

361 1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. i. 28. In a pale cleare-shining Skye.

362 1830.  Sir J. Herschel, Stud. Nat. Phil., III. iii. (1851), 286. Clear-judging tact.

363 1868.  Ld. Houghton, Select. fr. Wks., 195. That clear-drawn landscape.

364 1879.  Geo. Eliot, Coll. Breakf. P., 413. A law Clear-writ and proven as the law supreme.

365   3.  Special comb.: † clear-cake, a kind of confection, partly transparent; clear-cut a., sharply chiselled, sharply defined; clear-light v., to illumine clearly; † clear-matin, some kind of bread; † clear-walk (see quot.); clear-wing, attrib., popular name of the Hawk-moths with transparent wings (Ægeridæ); so clear-winged. Also CLEAR-EYED, CLEAR-HEADED, CLEAR-STARCH, etc.

366 1746.  H. Walpole, Lett. H. Mann (1833), II. 153 (D.). I used to call him the *clearcake; fat, fair, sweet, and seen through in a moment.

367 1769.  Mrs. Raffald, Eng. Housekpr. (1778), 239. To make Currant Clear Cake.

368 1855.  Tennyson, Maud, I. II. 3. A cold and *clear-cut face.

369 1876.  Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., I. 298. The clear-cut, emphatic chant which makes a truth doubly telling in Scotch utterance.

370 1861.  Temple & Trevor, Tannhäuser, 69. *Clearlighted all with noble thoughts, Her face glowed as an angel’s.

371 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., 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].

372 1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, II. 252/1. The *Clear Walk is the place that the Fighting Cock is in, and none other.

373 1865.  J. G. Wood, Homes without H., viii. 190. The various species … called *Clear-wing Moths.

374 1859.  W. S. Coleman, Woodlands (1866), 95. A moth of the clear-winged division.

375 © 2025 WEHD.com