Part 281

Gold is a wonderful clearer of the understanding. Addison.

2. (Naut.) A tool of which the hemp for lines and twines, used by sailmakers, is finished.

Clear"-head`ed (klēr"h&ebreve;d`&ebreve;d), a. Having a clear understanding; quick of perception; intelligent. "He was laborious and clear- headed." Macaulay.

-- Clear"-head`ed*ness, n.

Clear"ing, n. 1. The act or process of making clear.

The better clearing of this point. South.

2. A tract of land cleared of wood for cultivation.

A lonely clearing on the shores of Moxie Lake. J. Burroughs.

3. A method adopted by banks and bankers for making an exchange of checks held by each against the others, and settling differences of accounts.

&fist; In England, a similar method has been adopted by railroads for adjusting their accounts with each other.

4. The gross amount of the balances adjusted in the clearing house.

Clearing house, the establishment where the business of clearing is carried on. See above, 3.

Clear"ly, adv. In a clear manner.

Clear"ness, n. The quality or state of being clear.

Syn. -- Clearness, Perspicuity. Clearness has reference to our ideas, and springs from a distinct conception of the subject under consideration. Perspicuity has reference to the mode of expressing our ideas and belongs essentially to style. Hence we speak of a writer as having clear ideas, a clear arrangement, and perspicuous phraseology. We do at times speak of a person's having great clearness of style; but in such cases we are usually thinking of the clearness of his ideas as manifested in language. "Whenever men think clearly, and are thoroughly interested, they express themselves with perspicuity and force." Robertson.

Clear"-see`ing (?), a. Having a clear physical or mental vision; having a clear understanding.

Clear"-shin`ing (?), a. Shining brightly. Shak.

Clear"-sight`ed (-sīt`&ebreve;d), a. Seeing with clearness; discerning; as, clear-sighted reason.

Clear"-sight`ed*ness, n. Acute discernment.

Clear"starch` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clearstarched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Clearstraching.] To stiffen with starch, and then make clear by clapping with the hands; as, to clearstarch muslin.

Clear"starch`er (?), n. One who clearstarches.

{ Clear"sto`ry (?), Clere"sto`ry, } n. (Arch.) The upper story of the nave of a church, containing windows, and rising above the aisle roofs.

Clear"wing` (?), n. (Zo÷l.) A lepidopterous insect with partially transparent wings, of the family ĂgeriadŠ, of which the currant and peach-tree borers are examples.

Cleat (klēt), n. [OE. clete wedge; cf. D. kloot ball, Ger. kloss, klotz, lump. clod, MHG. klōz lump, ball, wedge, OHG. chlōz ball, round mass.]

1. (Carp.) A strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping, hold position, etc.

2. (Naut.) A device made of wood or metal, having two arms, around which turns may be taken with a line or rope so as to hold securely and yet be readily released. It is bolted by the middle to a deck or mast, etc., or it may be lashed to a rope.

Cleat, v. t. To strengthen with a cleat.

Cleav"a*ble (?), a. Capable of cleaving or being divided.