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sponge it, or sponge it off, if soiled; or sponge off a spot. Furniture, books, etc., are dusted; floors are mopped
or scrubbed; metallic utensils are scoured; a room is swept; soiled garments are washed; foul air or water is
purified. Cleanse and purify are used extensively in a moral sense; wash in that sense is archaic. Compare
AMEND.
Antonyms:
befoul, bespatter, debase, deprave, soil, stain, taint, besmear, contaminate, defile, pollute, spoil, sully, vitiate.
besmirch, corrupt,
Prepositions:
Cleanse of or from physical or moral defilement; cleanse with an instrument; by an agent; the room was
cleansed by the attendants with soap and water.
* * * * *
CLEAR.
Synonyms:
apparent, intelligible, pellucid, transparent, diaphanous, limpid, perspicuous, unadorned, distinct, lucid, plain,
unambiguous, evident, manifest, straightforward, unequivocal, explicit, obvious, translucent, unmistakable.
Clear (L. clarus, bright, brilliant) primarily refers to that which shines, and impresses the mind through the
eye with a sense of luster or splendor. A substance is said to be clear that offers no impediment to vision--is
not dim, dark, or obscure. Transparent refers to the medium through which a substance is seen, clear to the
substance itself, without reference to anything to be seen through it; we speak of a stream as clear when we
think of the water itself; we speak of it as transparent with reference to the ease with which we see the
pebbles at the bottom. Clear is also said of that which comes to the senses without dimness, dulness,
obstruction, or obscurity, so that there is no uncertainty as to its exact form, character, or meaning, with
something of the brightness or brilliancy implied in the primary meaning of the word clear; as, the outlines of
the ship were clear against the sky; a clear view; a clear note; "clear as a bell;" a clear, frosty air; a clear sky;
a clear statement; hence, the word is used for that which is free from any kind of obstruction; as, a clear field.
Lucid and pellucid refer to a shining clearness, as of crystal. A transparent body allows the forms and colors
of objects beyond to be seen through it; a translucent body allows light to pass through, but may not permit
forms and colors to be distinguished; plate glass is transparent, ground glass is translucent. Limpid refers to a
liquid clearness, or that which suggests it; as, limpid streams. That which is distinct is well defined, especially
in outline, each part or object standing or seeming apart from any other, not confused, indefinite, or blurred;
distinct enunciation enables the hearer to catch every word or vocal sound without perplexity or confusion; a
distinct statement is free from indefiniteness or ambiguity; a distinct apprehension of a thought leaves the
mind in no doubt or uncertainty regarding it. That is plain, in the sense here considered, which is, as it were,
level to the thought, so that one goes straight on without difficulty or hindrance; as, plain language; a plain
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
93
statement; a clear explanation. Perspicuous is often equivalent to plain, but plain never wholly loses the
meaning of unadorned, so that we can say the style is perspicuous tho highly ornate, when we could not call it
at once ornate and plain. Compare EVIDENT.
Antonyms:
ambiguous, dim, foggy, mysterious, opaque, unintelligible, cloudy, dubious, indistinct, obscure, turbid, vague.
Prepositions:
Clear to the mind; clear in argument; clear of or from annoyances.
* * * * *
CLEVER.
Synonyms:
able, capable, happy, keen, sharp, adroit, dexterous, ingenious, knowing, skilful, apt, expert, intellectual,
quick, smart, bright, gifted, intelligent, quick-witted, talented.
Clever, as used in England, especially implies an aptitude for study or learning, and for excellent tho not
preeminent mental achievement. The early New England usage as implying simple and weak good nature has
largely affected the use of the word throughout the United States, where it has never been much in favor.
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