- clear
- c.1280, from O.Fr. cler, from L. clarus "clear, bright, distinct," related to clamare "call out" (see claim), hence with an original sense of "clear-sounding." An O.E. word for this was sweotol. Of the weather, 1382; of meanings or explanations, c.1300. Sense of "free from encumbrance," apparently nautical, developed c.1500. The verb meaning "to leap clear over" is first attested 1791.