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Clear stuff

Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stuff \Stuff\, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain
   origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t.
   Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.]
   1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of
      manufacture.

            For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the
            work to make it, and too much.        --Ex. xxxvi.
                                                  7.

            Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.

            The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And
            yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. --Sir J.
                                                  Davies.

   2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up;
      elemental part; essence.

            Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do
            no contrived murder.                  --Shak.

   3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind;
      specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or
      worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.

            What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?     --Shak.

            It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though,
            superior kinds were of silk exclusively. --F. G.
                                                  Lee.

   4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.

            He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
                                                  --Hayward.

   5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak.

   6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or
      irrational language; nonsense; trash.

            Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or
            Shadwell write.                       --Dryden.

   7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with
      which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared
      for lubrication.                            --Ham. Nav.
                                                  Encyc.

   8. Paper stock ground ready for use.

   Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight.

   {Clear stuff}. See under {Clear}.

   {Small stuff} (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham.
      Nav. Encyc.

   {Stuff gown}, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister;
      hence, a junior barrister himself. See {Silk gown}, under
      {Silk}.

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, renownwd; 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.

   {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}.
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