Clear \clear\ (kl[=e]r), v. i

1. To become free from clouds or fog; to become fair; -- often followed by up, off, or away

   So foul a sky clears not without a storm. --Shak

   Advise him to stay till the weather clears up --Swift

2. To disengage one's self from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free. [Obs.]

   He that clears at once will relapse; for finding himself out of straits, he will revert to his customs; but he that cleareth by degrees induceth a habit of frugality. --Bacon

Clear \clear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. cleared}; p. pr. & vb. n clearing.]

1. To render bright, transparent, or undimmed; to free from clouds

   He sweeps the skies and clears the cloudy north --Dryden

2. To free from impurities; to clarify; to cleanse
3. To free from obscurity or ambiguity; to relive of perplexity; to make perspicuous

   Many knotty points there are Which all discuss, but few can clear. --Prior

4. To render more quick or acute, as the understanding; to make perspicacious

   Our common prints would clear up their understandings. --Addison

5. To free from impediment or incumbrance, from defilement, or from anything injurious, useless, or offensive; as, to clear land of trees or brushwood, or from stones; to clear the sight or the voice; to clear one's self from debt; -- often used with of, off, away, or out

   Clear your mind of cant. --Dr. Johnson

   A statue lies hid in a block of marble; and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter. --Addison

6. To free from the imputation of guilt; to justify, vindicate, or acquit; -- often used with from before the thing imputed

   I . . . am sure he will clear me from partiality --Dryden

   How! wouldst thou clear rebellion? --Addison

7. To leap or pass by, or over, without touching or failure; as, to clear a hedge; to clear a reef
8. To gain without deduction; to net

   The profit which she cleared on the cargo --Macaulay

Clear \clear\ (kl[=e]r), a. [Compar. clearer (-[~e]r); superl clearest.] [OE. cler, cleer, OF. cler, F. clair, fr.L clarus, clear, broght, loud, distinct; perh. akin to L. clamare to call, E. claim. Cf. Chanticleer, clairvoyant, claret, clarufy.]

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

    [syn: manifest; pure; unmixed; pellucid; transparent; luminous; obvious; visible; plain; evident; apparent; distinct; perspicuous]

Clear \clear\ (kl[=e]r), n. (Carp.) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls; as, a room ten feet square in the clear

Clear \clear\, adv.

1. In a clear manner; plainly

   Now clear I understand What oft . . . thoughts have searched in vain. --Milton

2. Without limitation; wholly; quite; entirely; as, to cut a piece clear off