Clear (klēr), a. [Compar.Clearer (–ẽr); superl.Clearest.] [OE. cler, cleer, OF. cler, F. clair, fr.L. clarus, clear, bright, loud, distinct, renowned; perh. akin to L. clamare to call, E. claim. Cf. Chanticleer, Clairvoyant, Claret, Clarify.] 1. Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.
The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
Denham.
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
Canticles vi. 10.
2. Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous; plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.
One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
Pope.
3. Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.
Mother of science! now I feel thy power
Within me clear, not only to discern
Things in their causes, but to trace the ways
Of highest agents.
Milton.
4. Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
With a countenance as clear
As friendship wears at feasts.
Shak.
5. Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.
Hark! the numbers soft and clear
Gently steal upon the ear.
Pope.
6. Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.
7. Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as, a clear complexion; clear lumber.
8. Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.
Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere,
In action faithful, and in honor clear.
Pope.
9. Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.
I often wished that I had clear,
For life, six hundred pounds a-year.
Swift.
10. Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt.
My companion... left the way clear for him.
Addison.
11. Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.
The cruel corporal whispered in my ear,
Five pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
Gay.
Clear breach. See under Breach, n., 4. — Clear days(Law.), days reckoned from one day to another, excluding both the first and last day; as, from Sunday to Sunday there are six clear days. — Clear stuff, boards, planks, etc., free from knots.
Syn. — Manifest; pure; unmixed; pellucid; transparent; luminous; obvious; visible; plain; evident; apparent; distinct; perspicuous. See Manifest.